Smiths Medical 304206 - IV Catheter, 16G x 1" Retracting Needle, Grey, 50/bx, 4 bx/cs

The Smiths Medical 304206 IV Catheter is a professional-grade peripheral intravenous catheter designed for reliable vascular access in clinical and acute care environments. Featuring a 16G x 1.25 inch catheter size and a retracting needle design, this IV catheter supports efficient placement while helping reduce the risk of accidental needlestick exposure after insertion.

Packaged as 50 catheters per box and 4 boxes per case, this product is suitable for hospitals, emergency departments, surgical centers, infusion services, and other healthcare facilities that require dependable large-bore IV access supplies. The grey color coding helps clinicians quickly identify the 16G size during preparation and clinical use.

Key Benefits

• 16G catheter size supports high-flow IV access when clinically appropriate.
• 1.25 inch length provides practical insertion depth for common peripheral access applications.
• Retracting needle design helps support safer handling after catheter placement.
• Grey color coding allows fast gauge identification in busy clinical settings.
• Designed for professional use in hospitals, emergency care, procedural areas, and infusion environments.
• Bulk case packaging helps streamline inventory control and supply readiness.
• Manufactured by Smiths Medical, a recognized supplier of clinical access and infusion products.

Compatibility and Applications

The Smiths Medical 304206 IV Catheter is intended for peripheral intravenous access where a 16G catheter is selected by a qualified healthcare professional based on the patient condition, therapy requirements, vein quality, and facility protocol. It may be used in applications requiring rapid fluid administration, blood product administration, perioperative access, emergency care, and other clinical procedures where larger-bore venous access is appropriate.

This catheter should be used with compatible IV administration sets, extension sets, securement devices, dressings, and flushing supplies according to institutional procedures and the product labeling. Clinicians should confirm compatibility with facility-approved connectors, infusion systems, and medication administration protocols before use.

Usage Guidelines

Use the Smiths Medical 304206 IV Catheter only by trained healthcare professionals following approved aseptic technique and facility policy. Inspect the individual package before use and do not use the device if the sterile barrier is damaged, opened, or compromised. Select an appropriate insertion site, prepare the skin according to clinical guidelines, and confirm that the 16G size is suitable for the intended therapy and patient condition.

After catheter insertion, activate or allow the retracting needle safety mechanism according to the manufacturer instructions for use. Secure the catheter with an approved stabilization method and apply a sterile dressing. Dispose of all sharps and used components immediately in an approved sharps container in accordance with facility policy and applicable regulations.

Certifications and Safety Standards

The Smiths Medical 304206 IV Catheter is designed for use in regulated healthcare environments where sterile single-use vascular access products are required. Facilities should review the current manufacturer documentation, product labeling, and purchasing specifications for applicable regulatory status, sterility details, and safety compliance information.

The retracting needle feature is intended to support safer sharps handling practices and may assist healthcare organizations in maintaining needlestick prevention protocols. Use should align with OSHA bloodborne pathogen requirements, CDC infection prevention guidance, facility vascular access policies, and any applicable state or institutional safety standards.

Comparison with Competitors

Compared with standard non-safety IV catheters, the Smiths Medical 304206 IV Catheter offers the added advantage of a retracting needle design, which supports safer post-insertion handling. This can be especially important in high-volume clinical environments where staff protection, procedural consistency, and sharps safety are priorities.

When compared with similar 16G peripheral IV catheters, this product provides a practical combination of large-bore access, recognizable grey gauge identification, and institutional packaging. Its case configuration of 50 per box and 4 boxes per case helps healthcare buyers manage department-level stocking and recurring supply needs efficiently.

Typical User Profile and Application Scenarios

This IV catheter is typically used by nurses, emergency department clinicians, anesthesia teams, infusion professionals, surgical staff, and other trained healthcare providers responsible for peripheral vascular access. It is well suited for facilities that require consistent availability of 16G IV catheters for higher-flow access situations.

Common application scenarios may include emergency fluid access, preoperative preparation, trauma support, blood administration when clinically indicated, rapid infusion needs, and inpatient procedures requiring reliable peripheral access. Product selection should always be based on clinical judgment, patient assessment, and facility guidelines.

Best Practices for Use and Maintenance

Store the Smiths Medical 304206 IV Catheter in a clean, dry, temperature-controlled area according to the manufacturer storage recommendations. Rotate inventory by expiration date and keep boxes protected from crushing, moisture, and excessive handling. Confirm product size, packaging integrity, and sterility before opening for patient use.

During use, follow strict hand hygiene, aseptic technique, and catheter securement procedures. Monitor the insertion site according to facility policy for signs of infiltration, phlebitis, leakage, infection, or catheter displacement. Remove and replace the catheter only as clinically indicated and in accordance with current vascular access guidelines.

Regulatory and Safety Information

The Smiths Medical 304206 IV Catheter is intended for single use and should not be reused, resterilized, or reprocessed. Reuse may increase the risk of infection, device malfunction, contamination, or patient injury. Healthcare professionals should follow the manufacturer instructions for use and all applicable institutional policies for vascular access procedures.

This product should be used only by qualified personnel trained in peripheral IV catheter placement and sharps safety. Dispose of the retracting needle and any used components in approved sharps and biohazard waste containers. For product-specific regulatory information, purchasers should verify the latest documentation from the manufacturer or authorized distributor before clinical use.

How to Order

Select the Smiths Medical 304206 IV Catheter, 16G x 1" Retracting Needle, Grey, 50/bx, 4 bx/cs and add it to your cart. Complete checkout with your preferred shipping and payment options. For bulk orders, quotes, or further assistance, contact CIA Medical customer service at (312)275-5850 or use the contact form on this page.