The Role of SafeBreak® Vascular in Reducing Peripheral Intravenous Catheter Complications
Peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) are among the most frequently used medical devices in hospitalised patients. International data suggest that more than 70 percent of hospitalised patients receive at least one PIVC during their stay (Alexandrou et al., 2018). In Aotearoa New Zealand, this figure is similarly high, with estimates showing that more than half of all inpatients have a PIVC in place at any given time (Health Quality & Safety Commission [HQSC], 2025).
Despite their widespread use, PIVCs are associated with high complication rates. Studies consistently report that up to 69 percent of PIVCs fail before completion of therapy (Helm et al., 2015). In New Zealand, the burden of these complications is particularly visible in infection surveillance data. At least 25 percent of healthcare-associated Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (HA-SAB) cases are linked to PIVCs (HQSC, 2025). A national review further identified that 65 percent of HA-SAB cases were related to medical devices, and of those, 95 percent were vascular access devices. Notably, 45 percent of these vascular access–related HA-SAB cases involved PIVCs (Barratt et al., 2022).
Beyond infection, PIVC complications include phlebitis, infiltration, occlusion, and dislodgement. A point-prevalence study in a New Zealand tertiary hospital reported visible signs of phlebitis in 14.4 percent of PIVC sites, yet only 19 percent of those sites were assessed using a validated phlebitis scoring system (Berger et al., 2022). These findings point to systemic challenges in PIVC management and monitoring that increase risks to patients.
SafeBreak® Vascular: A Simple, Preventive Solution
One under-recognised contributor to PIVC failure is mechanical stress, such as accidental pulls or tension on the IV line. These forces can lead to partial or full dislodgement, site trauma, and contamination. In response to this problem, SafeBreak® Vascular, developed by Lineus Medical, offers a novel preventive approach.
SafeBreak is an in-line mechanical detachment device placed between the IV tubing and the catheter extension set. It is engineered to separate when a damaging force is applied, helping to preserve catheter placement and avoid the need for a restart. Critically, the device maintains a closed system on separation, so no blood or medication is spilled. This feature is particularly valuable in supporting infection prevention efforts by limiting exposure to open access points.
DIPPER Study Findings
The Device to Reduce Intravenous Catheter Complications and Therapy Interruptions (DIPPER) study evaluated the clinical performance of SafeBreak in a hospital setting. As a prospective, randomised controlled trial, it examined the impact of SafeBreak on PIVC complications. The results were compelling:
A 44 percent reduction in peripheral IV complications requiring restart
A 58 percent reduction in phlebitis
Appropriate device separation in 95 percent of pulls
No device-related adverse events
No blood or medication spillage during separations
(Lineus Medical, 2023)
These outcomes demonstrate the potential for SafeBreak to significantly reduce common and preventable causes of PIVC failure.
Supporting Infection Prevention and Vein Preservation
Each IV restart introduces new risks. It requires a break in aseptic technique, increases the number of venipunctures a patient must endure, and creates opportunities for microbial entry. In the New Zealand context, where nearly half of all device-related bloodstream infections involve PIVCs, reducing restarts is not only a matter of patient comfort, but of infection control (Barratt et al., 2022).
SafeBreak supports these goals by preventing the need for catheter replacement following mechanical stress. In doing so, it preserves both vein health and catheter dwell time, while reducing clinician workload and resource use. By maintaining a closed IV system and preventing medication and blood spills, it aligns with core principles of infection prevention.
Conclusion
Peripheral IV complications continue to place a heavy burden on patients, clinicians, and health systems in Aotearoa New Zealand and globally. Many of these complications are preventable with the right interventions. SafeBreak® Vascular represents a simple, evidence-based innovation that protects IV access sites from mechanical failure and supports infection prevention efforts.
As New Zealand’s healthcare sector moves toward safer and more efficient models of care, incorporating technologies like SafeBreak can reduce preventable harm, save clinical time, and enhance the overall quality of IV therapy.
For more information or to arrange a product trial, contact Venture Medical at customerservice@venturemed.co.nz.
References
Alexandrou, E., Ray‐Barruel, G., Carr, P. J., Frost, S., Inwood, S., Higgins, N., & Rickard, C. M. (2018). Use of short peripheral intravenous catheters: Characteristics, management, and outcomes worldwide. Journal of Hospital Medicine, 13(5), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.12788/jhm.3039
Barratt, R., Freeman, J. T., & Heffernan, H. (2022). Device-related Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia in New Zealand. The New Zealand Medical Journal, 135(1558), 32–44. https://journal.nzma.org.nz/journal-articles/device-related-staphylococcus-aureus-bacteraemia-in-new-zealand
Berger, C., Huggins, C., & Duncan, A. (2022). Peripheral IV cannulae: Saving a line might just save a life. New Zealand Medical Journal, 135(1558). Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34535927/
Health Quality & Safety Commission. (2025). Peripheral intravenous catheter infections. Retrieved August 7, 2025, from https://www.hqsc.govt.nz/our-work/infection-prevention-and-control/our-work/peripheral-intravenous-catheter-infections/
Helm, R. E., Klausner, J. D., Klemperer, J. D., Flint, L. M., & Huang, E. (2015). Accepted but unacceptable: Peripheral IV catheter failure. Journal of Infusion Nursing, 38(3), 189–203. https://doi.org/10.1097/NAN.0000000000000100
Lineus Medical. (2023). DIPPER study results. Retrieved August 7, 2025, from
