Umbilical catheters (UCs) are a fundamental component of patient care, used to centrally administer medication and nutrition to infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Yet, these commonly used devices have an average migration rate of over 33% when coupled with standard adhesive securement methods.¹

UC migration can lead to catheter malposition, which can result in¹

• Cardiac tamponade
• Pericardial effusion
• Thrombus formation

It is clear alternative securement methods are needed to reduce UC migration rates and minimize patient complications.

LifeBubble is created from soft, flexible silicon and is designed to fit over the umbilical stump following UC suturing. Catheter securement includes wrapping each line around a securement knob and pulling an elastic strap over its top^.1 (See diagram for details on using LifeBubble).

Design Benefits¹

• Protects Catheter Insertion Site
• Independently Secures UC Lines
• Demonstrates Superior Securement Compared to Standard Adhesive Methods

Image from: Crabtree-Beach T, Olyaei A, Scottoline B. A New Method of Umbilical Catheter Securement Is Associated with Significantly Lower Rates of Malposition. Poster presented at the 2021 AAP National Conference.

Insertion Site Protection:  While standard adhesive securement methods often leave UC inserstion sites uncovered to allow for desiccation to prevent infection, this can expose the site to bacteria transferred from diaper and other aspects of infant care. LifeBubble’s novel design protects the UC insertion site ¹ .

Migration Rates: A study conducted by Tanya Crabtree-Beach, RN MSN, et al compared securement effectiveness of LifeBubble vs standard adhesive forms of umbilical catheter securement. The study was performed on 159 NICU infants with umbilical arterial catheters (UACs) and/or umbilical venous catheters (UVCs). 61 patients were treated with adhesive securement and 58 patients received LifeBubble.¹

The study tracked the proportion of UCs that¹:

• Moved one vertebral body or more (measured by radiography)
• Were removed due to malposition following migration

It was found that LifeBubble resulted in significantly less¹:

• UC migration of one vertebral body or greater
• UVC migration overall, as well as UVC migration leading to premature removal

Access the study abstract published in Pediatrics here.

Eloquest Healthcare is committed to providing solutions that can help improve catheter securement and decrease complications while reducing unnecessary costs. The LifeBubble™ Umbilical Catheter Securement System, the first clinically-studied product for umbilical catheter securement, can help prevent UVC & UAC migration, extend UVC & UAC dwell time and reduce risk of downstream complications and cost.

For more information about LifeBubble, please call 1‐877‐433‐7626 or complete this form.