Covalon’s Award-Winning MediClear PreOp Product Recognized as Innovative Solution to Help Hospitals Reduce Surgical
Site Infections
Covalon Technologies Ltd. (the "Company" or "Covalon") (TSXV:COV; OTCQX:CVALF) is pleased to announce that
its MediClear™ PreOp product has been recognized by both the medical device industry and by key clinicians as an
important innovation in the fight to prevent surgical site infections.
Surgical site infections (“SSIs”) are among the costliest of healthcare-associated infections and are the second most common in
the US.1, 2, 3 SSIs can lead to prolonged patient suffering, extended hospitalizations, and, in some cases, patient
death. SSIs cost the healthcare industry billions of dollars each year, much of which is no longer reimbursable through medical
insurance providers in the United States.
MediClear PreOp, the only dual antimicrobial pre-surgical film barrier, was designed to help hospitals reduce infections by
protecting surgical sites on patients before a surgical procedure. MediClear PreOp reduces the level of pathogens on the
patient’s skin while protecting the surgical site from exposure to bacteria found within the hospital environment.
“It has become clear that there is a gap in the protection of patients from exposure to bacteria before a surgical
procedure, and that gap can be filled by MediClear PreOp,” said Brian Pedlar, Chief Executive Officer
of Covalon. “Clinicians in our surveys at recent industry events have identified the need for a solution that bridges the use
of presurgical wipes at home and the presurgical prep of the patient done in the surgical suite. Patients are also becoming aware
of the risks of exposure to hospital-acquired infectious pathogens and are demanding protection to reduce their risk of contracting
an infection during surgical procedures. MediClear PreOp satisfies the needs of both clinicians and patients and can
help save lives as a major preventative force against SSIs.”
Covalon surveyed dozens of clinical Key Opinion Leaders at last month’s American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons Annual
Conference in Las Vegas, NE, with attendees including industry leaders in orthopedic surgery and key decision makers from
healthcare institutions across the United States. The results of the surveys indicated that there was no consistent protocol or
method of protecting patients from exposure to hospital-borne bacteria from the pre-surgical admitting process up to their entrance
into the sterile operating room. Many of the Key Opinion Leaders surveyed recognized the value of
using MediClear PreOp in conjunction with their current infection prevention protocols to better protect patients in
the hospital prior to surgery.
Covalon will further validate the need for MediClear PreOp at the Association
of periOperative Nurses Global Surgical Conference & Expo (“AORN”) from April 6-10 at the Music City Centre in
Nashville, TN. AORN will bring together 10,000 perioperative nurses and exhibitors for five days of learning.
Brian Pedlar continued, “Our discussions with orthopedic surgeons have identified the clear need for an innovative product
like MediClear PreOp. We anticipate that our discussions with perioperative nurses will provide continued education and
identification of the need for MediClear PreOp to further protect patients.”
Since Covalon’s launch of this innovative product, the medical technology industry has
recognized MediClear PreOp as an innovative presurgical protocol with a number of awards.
MediClear PreOp was the recipient of the 2018 New Product Innovation Award for Surgical Site Infection Prevention by
Frost & Sullivan and was awarded the 2018 Silver Award by Medical Design Excellence Awards in the Over-the-Counter
Category.
MediClear PreOp is based on Covalon’s proprietary antimicrobial silicone adhesive technology
and harnesses the synergistic effects of silver and chlorhexidine, killing 99.99% of microorganisms associated with SSIs
on patients’ skin within 30 minutes of application and suppressing regrowth until surgery. Clinical evidence of well-known
antimicrobial agents, such as chlorhexidine, in washes and wipes has shown that they are effective at reducing the levels of
bacteria on a patient’s skin pre-operatively and subsequently decreasing the incidence of SSIs when utilized
correctly.
Most SSIs are caused by the native flora of the patient’s skin, mucous membranes, or hollow
viscera.4 When the skin is incised, the underlying tissue is exposed to endogenous flora, increasing the risk of
potential infection. It has been shown that preoperative skin preparation products containing chlorhexidine,
like MediClear PreOp, help to decrease endogenous and exogenous pathogens, reduce the risk of SSIs and subsequent
mortality.5 Furthermore, MediClear PreOp’s soft silicone adhesive is gentle on the skin, while
the breathable polyurethane backing provides a physical barrier to external contamination, such as bacteria, yeast, and
viruses.
To learn more about Covalon, please contact:
References:
1. Watanabe A. Kohnoe S. Shimabukuro R, et al., Risk factors associated with surgical site infection in upper and
lower gastrointestinal surgery. Surg Today. 2008, 38, 404-412.
2. World Health Organization. WHO guidelines for safe surgery: surgery saves lives. 2009. Retrieved Jan 2, 2014 from:
http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/44185/1/9789241598552_eng.pdf
3. Scott, D, The Direct Medical Costs of Healthcare-Associated Infections in US Hospitals and the Benefits of Prevention,
Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion National Center for Preparedness, Detection, and Control of Infectious Diseases
Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases Centers for Disease Control and Prevention March 2009.
4. Altemeir WA, Culbertson WR, Hummel RP, Surgical consideration of endogenous infections-sources, types and methods
of control. Surg Clin North Am. 1968, 48, 227-240.
5. Eiselt D, Presurgical skin preparation with a novel 2% chlorhexidine gluconate cloth reduces rates of surgical site
infection in orthopaedic surgical patients. Orthop Nurs 2009, 28, 141-145.
About Covalon
Covalon Technologies Ltd. researches, develops, and commercializes new healthcare technologies that help save lives around the
world. Covalon's patented technologies, products, and services address the advanced healthcare needs of medical device companies,
healthcare providers, and individual consumers. Covalon's technologies are used to prevent, detect, and manage medical conditions
in specialty areas such as infection control, vascular access, surgical procedures, advanced wound care, and medical device
coatings. To learn more about Covalon, visit our website at
www.covalon.com
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture
Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
This news release contains forward-looking statements which reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future
events. The forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate",
"plan, "estimate", "expect", "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or
be achieved and other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainties, including completion of
integration of the AquaGuard acquisition, the difficulty in predicting product approvals, acceptance of and demands for new
products, the impact of the products and pricing strategies of competitors, delays in developing and launching new products, the
regulatory environment, fluctuations in operating results and other risks, any of which could cause results, performance, or
achievements to differ materially from the results discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Many risks are inherent
in the industry; others are more specific to the Company. Investors should consult the Company's ongoing quarterly filings for
additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to these forward-looking statements. Investors should not place undue
reliance on any forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements
whether as a result of new information, further events or otherwise.
Brian Pedlar, CEO, Covalon Technologies Ltd.
Email: bpedlar@covalon.com
Phone: 905.568.8400 x 233
Toll free: 1.877.711.6055
Web site:
www.covalon.com
Twitter: @covalon
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