Rising Tide Foundation grant to Portugal’s Paediatric Health Care Foundation opens the way for important new Vascular Access research

January 13, 2021

The Rising Tide Foundation (RTF), the Rising Tide Foundation for Clinical Cancer Research (RTFCCR) and the Paediatric Health Care Foundation (Associação de Apoio aos Cuidados de Saúde dos Pequenitos or AACSP) are partnering on research into one of the most common challenges in modern healthcare – difficult venous access (DVA).

Although more than 80% of hospitalised patients require intravenous access, healthcare professionals find it difficult to perform intravenous cannulation in a great many patients.  First-attempt failure is high – 26% in adults and 47% in children – leading to additional pain and anxiety for patients, lost productivity and increased costs for hospitals, and potential complications such as infection, infiltration and vein depletion.

To address this problem, Rising Tide funded the development and manufacture of the vein dilation device called Veinplicity®, which has been shown to increase vessel size and first-attempt cannulation success.  Having completed product development and generated positive clinical results, Rising Tide decided to donate the intellectual property – including worldwide patents – and assets associated with Veinplicity, to a philanthropic or academic institution with the ability to expand on their research, and facilitate access to Veinplicity.  AACSP, with its mission to promote quality, evidence-based paediatric care, has been identified as the ideal partner.

The research will be supervised by Professor Pedro Parreira (Nursing School of Coimbra, Portugal) and managed in three phases by lead Professor Paulo Costa (Nursing School of Coimbra, Portugal).  The first phase, an observational interventional study at the Portuguese Institute of Oncology, will be followed by a national, multicentre randomised controlled trial incorporating different patient types and comparing different vascular access technology. In the final phase AACSPwill work with leading vascular access academic and research institutions around the world. 

Professor Pedro Parreira, (PhD, AACSP’s President), said:

“First attempt success is what all nurses strive for when cannulating.  We owe it to our patients to use appropriate tools to achieve that aim.  We are very excited about this partnership with Rising Tide and the opportunity to provide the evidence required to guide continual improvement of nursing policies and procedures.”

Shawn Stephenson, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Rising Tide Foundation and the Rising Tide Foundation for Clinical Cancer Research added:

“At Rising Tide, we provide the seeds to incubate promising new ideas for the benefit of patients and practitioners.  We are delighted to provide this grant to the AACSP in the knowledge that they will work with ESEnfC to continue multinational DVA research and in the sincere hope that the results will be of benefit to millions.”   

Wendelin Zellmayer, CEO of Physeon, also commented: 

“Research has shown that Veinplicity enlarges forearm veins by 50%. By improving vessel tone and creating a larger, more palpable and better anchored target, Veinplicity increases first-attempt cannulation success. That’s great news for patients. It’s also great news that future research will help shape protocols that ensure the proper use of technology, not just on an ad hoc basis but with each and every cannulation”. 

For more information, please contact:

About Veinplicity

Veinplicity is a portable electronic device that emits a gentle current between a disposable bifurcated electrode placed on the palm and biceps. Stimulation of the nerves and muscles in the forearm result in increased blood flow and vasodilation, while stimulation of receptors in the vessel wall causes veins to stiffen. Enlarged veins are pushed towards the surface where they are better anchored, easier to palpate and less prone to rolling.

For more information, visit Veinplicity

About the Paediatric Health Care Foundation

A non-profit organisation established in 2016 by healthcare professionals, professors and researchers who share a unique passion – promoting quality care and safety for children and adolescents in Portugal.  The association does this by: 

  • Identifying and establishing evidence-based practices
  • Determining ways to optimise resources
  • Facilitating access to medical expertise for paediatric rare diseases

Since its inception the AACSP has developed or actively collaborated in local and national activities to promote the health rights and interests of children and adolescents in Portugal.  These activities include a) training for healthcare professionals, families, and carers b) participation in community-based interventional projects of a humanitarian and social nature and c) organization of scientific events for professionals and researchers. 

For more information, visit AACSP.

 
 

 

 

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