10/10/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 10/10/2024 07:13
When it comes to patient safety, the right connection can make all the difference.
Designed according to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards and regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the ENFit® connector is a standardized connector developed to help reduce medical tubing misconnections during the delivery of fluids, nutrition and medications. ENFit® connectors are used in enteral feeding medical devices, including enteral syringes, enteral feeding sets, enteral drainage sets, medication bottle adapters and other patient interface devices including access ports.
According to a 2023 Vizient ENFit® Enteral Feeding feedback survey, 59.4% of those who responded to the survey successfully completed the transition from legacy enteral feeding products to ENFit® enteral feeding products, demonstrating significant progress in the adoption process. But while the adoption of ENFit® connectors is gaining momentum, its full impact on clinical practice is still being assessed.
From 2011 to 2023, 96 new cases of tubing misconnections were documented, with 4 patient deaths and 6 instances of harm. However, tubing misconnections continue to be underreported or misreported. In support of this global initiative to reduce medical device misconnections, several standards organizations, federal partners, professional societies, advocacy groups, patients and other stakeholders including the Institute for Safe Medication Practices, Emergency Care Research Institute, American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and others have devised toolkits or guides to assist health entities with the adoption of ENFit® connectors.
Understanding the potential risks associated with delaying adoption and, similarly, the potential value to adoption can help health entities determine whether ENFit® connectors are the right fit for them.
The process of adopting ENFit® presents health entities with an opportunity to enhance their processes and highlights their dedication to upholding the highest standards of safety and quality in patient care. The Vizient clinical resource guide, Improving Patient Safety: Preventing Tubing Misconnections - ENFit®, provides valuable information based on the results of the 2023 Vizient ENFit® Feedback Survey. It provides insights on the significance of preventing tubing misconnections, highlights past legislative endeavors, discusses the advantages of supply chain standardization, outlines Vizient contracts, supplementary resources and offers best practices for successful implementation.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute any claims or endorsements. Healthcare entities are encouraged to conduct their own risk assessments and value analyses to determine the most appropriate solutions or approaches for their specific settings, patients and organizational needs.
Ikhlass M. Hassen provides subject matter expertise in the bid process and collaborates closely with category managers, contract managers and suppliers across clinical supply, pediatrics, wound care, alternate sites and other related categories. Before joining Vizient, Hassen served as a quality improvement manager at Johns Hopkins Sibley Memorial Hospital, clinical project leader at Sidra Medicine in Qatar (a leading pediatric hospital in the region) and acting director at Revival Homecare of the Washington Metropolitan Area. She holds a Master of Science in business administration with a concentration in consultancy and a Bachelor of Science with honors in nursing from the University of Maryland, as well as an Applied Associate of Science degree with honors from Prince George's Community College.