About HAI Solutions

A letter from our CoFounder, Nick

In 2001, I learned firsthand about the many factors that contribute to catheter-related bloodstream infections. This experience came from bringing a medically-fragile foster child, who we later adopted, into our home. His dependence on strict, sterile handling of all IV medications and the care of his central venous line taught me every nuance of this dynamic, complex challenge.  

As a nurse, and later a nurse anesthetist, I had the opportunity to apply my understanding of bloodstream infections and the role health care providers play in keeping patients from infections. Our son spent his first three years in the hospital because of constant central line infections, which were most likely caused by the health care workers’ handling of his IV medications and central venous catheter. Fast-forward ten years: While working as a nurse anesthetist, I began to connect the culture of anesthesia and patient safety.  

I believe that every patient who receives IV medications through an intravenous access point is at risk for a bloodstream, surgical site, or implanted device infection. This is due to the handling and administration of IV medications. These medications must be kept sterile and handled with the most delicate techniques and considerations to avoid transmitting infections to the patient. Over the years, my son remained infection-free due to my strict aseptic techniques and the highest standards for infection prevention. Spending time in the OR as an anesthesia provider, I realized that the majority of providers were completely clueless as to the implications of poor IV medication handling and the care of the connection points of the patients’ IV catheters. Gradually, the healthcare community has begun to recognize the need for stricter rules and regulations for all providers administering IV medications and to change the ways in which medications are administered. Unfortunately, the majority of providers who administer IV medications are nurses; the nursing culture has not yet penetrated the medicine culture within anesthesia for better handling of the patients’ IV medications. I believe that anesthesia providers will need to take ownership of the process to administer safe, infection-free anesthetics.  

After caring for my son and keeping his central venous catheter sterile for over 7 years (2,000+ catheter usage days), I realized that healthcare workers’ lack of attention and vigilance has caused and continues to cause bloodstream, catheter-related- and possibly even surgical site or implanted medical device infection. After spending time in thought over the barriers within anesthesia, I began to work on an idea; with the help of my business partner, who also understands the problem due to his work within the catheter medical product industry, we have developed a solution to protect patients from the accidental or negligent contamination of IV anesthesia medications they receive.  

As a parent of a child cared for by the anesthesia community, I can rest knowing that the risk of contamination of my son’s catheter and his bloodstream is substantially reduced. As future innovators continue to develop the technologies in patient implanted devices, the bio-med industry, and in anesthesia infusion and administration, our patented device has been designed to protect current patients within the practice of current methods, while also anticipating device application for the next generation, with more complex patients and more complex anesthesia infusion systems. 

-Nick Perrenoud, CoFounder