"MasterGuard... gives the nurse/technician the benefit of cannulating the patient with a 'regular' needle, with a needle protection system that stays out of the way of the user and patient. It's there, but functionally, it's out of the way until it's needed. That's why I've been using them ever since Medisystems created them."
-Joe Atkins, RN, MBA, CNN, CHT, with 36 years of hands-on experience as a dialysis technician, as well as Nephrology Nurse (read Joe's entire letter to Medisystems here)
Reported Benefits
Medisystems offers a wide selection of protected needles for hemodialysis and apheresis applications. We offer a full range of gauges, cannula lengths, bevel designs and tubing lengths – and associated educational materials.
Published studies report that MasterGuard significantly reduces needlestick injuries compared to conventional, unguarded AVF needles1 as well as other numerous benefits:
| Hemodialysis |
|---|
| The only needle guard proven to reduce needlestick injuries1 |
| FingerShield® anchor to protect the pressure-holding fingers through the entire process |
| Allows visualization of the needle point as it exits the patient |
| Does not affect or interfere with the site selection, cannulation technique, or tapedown |
| Audible and tactile click to confirm the needle is locked in place |
| Convenient packaging designed to reduce storage space and disposal waste: the Twin Pack case includes 250 needles - 120 pair plus 10 single packs |
| Red and blue clamps match bloodline arterial and venous counterparts to help reduce the risk of reversed lines |
| Arterial needles feature a backeye-forward design to minimize the need for needle flipping |
| Venous needles feature the standard non-backeye configuration |
| 100% latex-free materials |
| Rotating wings available for safe needle flipping |
Safety AV Fistula Needle Selection Decision Tree
Reference Sheet (PDF)
- Guarded Fistula Needle Reduces Needlestick Injuries in Hemodialysis; McCleary J, Caldero K, Adams T; Nephrology News & Issues, May 2002.