Teleflex Incorporated, a leading global provider of medical devices for critical care and surgery, has announced that the Hudson RCI ISO-Gard Mask with ClearAir Technology is one of 16 medical innovations that was showcased in front of thousands of healthcare providers at the Premier, Inc. 2014 Breakthroughs Conference and Exhibition in San Antonio.

This Teleflex device was selected by clinicians and other members of Premier, a leading healthcare improvement company, uniting an alliance of approximately 3,000 U.S. hospitals and 110,000 other providers. Selection criteria included the uniqueness of the product, ability to have an impact on an unmet medical need and potential to improve patient care.

The ISO-Gard Mask debuted during the conference’s sixth annual Innovation Celebration. The event recognizes advances in healthcare while highlighting industry suppliers committed to innovation and improving patient outcomes.

The ISO-Gard Mask represents our commitment to Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) managers and nurses to help in the reduction of hazardous waste anesthetic gas (WAG) exhaled by post-op patients and improve caregiver safety. This multi-purpose mask scavenges WAG while simultaneously delivering oxygen to the patient. ClearAir technology provides unidirectional flow of oxygen through the mask to assure maximum FiO2.

Teleflex estimates that anesthetic gases are used in 20 million surgeries in the US annually and up to 100 million globally.1 When patients are recovering in the PACU, they may exhale these gases which are then released into the nurses’ work environment. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) warns of several potential health effects from WAG exposure, including nausea, dizziness, headaches, and fatigue.2

"I am passionate about the opportunity to improve the work environment of PACU nurses," said Dr. John Moenning D.D.S., M.S.D. "By implementing the ISO-Gard Mask we are able to help reduce the possible health risks from waste anesthetic gases in the PACU and let the nurses know we care for them as much as the patient."

"Those who attend and participate in the Innovation Celebration share Premier’s commitment to providing valuable products to our members that are safe, high-quality and cost-effective," said Durral R. Gilbert, president of supply chain services, Premier. "We believe these innovations can benefit providers as they work to transform healthcare."

Any supplier, regardless of whether the company is contracted with Premier, can be considered for participation in the Innovation Celebration. Overall, Premier contracts with more than 1,100 suppliers.