The Drape

The Problem

Approximately 30 per cent of the total haemodialysis population in the UK have a tunneled line and these devices can be a source of sepsis, otherwise known as blood poisoning.

Renal sepsis is a significant cause of illness and death and contributes to eight per cent of all new MRSA cases in the UK. Consequently, patients with tunneled lines are at greater risk of hospitalisation.

Because there wasn’t a drape purposely designed for tunneled haemodialysis catheter insertion, doctors were having to use drapes which did not have holes the correct size or shape for the procedure. They also had to use more than one drape at a time.

The Solution

Dr Kevin Eardley, a consultant nephrologist at the trust, designed a new product called a Tunneled Jugular Line with Observation Window Drape – which will help reduce the chances of dialysis patients developing MRSA.

It is appropriately sized and has a specifically designed aperture. It is also designed to help reduce the feeling of claustrophobia many patients experience by having a transparent section covering the patient’s face. This will also aid nurses’ observation and reassurance of the patient during the procedure.

How MidTECH has helped

MidTECH used their in-house designer to produce drawings of the design and these were shown to a local company, 365 Healthcare. The managing director, Rob Gidley, showed an immediate interest in the idea and produced a batch of prototypes for testing. Once the dimensions were finalised, MidTECH protected the intellectual property and negotiated a licence deal on behalf of the Trust. The Trust will now receive a percentage of all sales of the drape worldwide. The product was launched in 2008.