Smiths Medical 306501 - Protective Plus IV Catheter, 18G x 1" Retracting Needle, Green, 50/bx, 4 bx/cs

The Smiths Medical 306501 Protective Plus IV Catheter is a high-quality peripheral intravenous catheter designed for reliable vascular access in clinical, emergency, and procedural care settings. This 18G x 1.25 inch IV catheter features a retracting needle design intended to support safer insertion practices and help reduce the risk of accidental needlestick exposure after catheter placement.

With its green color coding for quick gauge identification, the Smiths Medical 306501 catheter is suitable for situations requiring higher fluid flow, blood administration, contrast delivery when clinically appropriate, and rapid IV access. Each box contains 50 catheters, with 4 boxes per case, making it a practical supply option for hospitals, surgical centers, infusion departments, emergency rooms, and outpatient care facilities.

Key Benefits

• 18G catheter size supports efficient fluid delivery and reliable peripheral IV access.
• 1.25 inch catheter length provides practical insertion depth for a wide range of adult vascular access needs.
• Retracting needle design helps support safer handling after venipuncture.
• Green color coding allows fast visual identification of catheter gauge.
• Designed for clinical workflows where safety, consistency, and ease of use are important.
• Packaged 50 per box and 4 boxes per case for convenient inventory planning.
• Suitable for use in high-volume healthcare environments.

Compatibility and Applications

The Smiths Medical 306501 Protective Plus IV Catheter is intended for peripheral intravenous access and is commonly used with compatible IV administration sets, extension sets, needleless connectors, IV fluids, and related infusion therapy supplies. Its 18G size makes it a strong choice when larger-bore access is preferred by the clinical team.

Typical applications include IV fluid administration, medication delivery, blood collection when permitted by facility protocol, perioperative access, emergency department use, and infusion therapy. Compatibility should always be confirmed with the facility protocol, device labeling, prescribed therapy, and the patients vascular condition.

Usage Guidelines

Use the Smiths Medical 306501 IV catheter only by trained healthcare professionals following institutional policies and aseptic technique. Before use, inspect the sterile packaging for damage and confirm the catheter size, expiration date, and intended application. Prepare the insertion site according to facility infection prevention procedures and select an appropriate vein based on the patients condition and prescribed therapy.

After successful venipuncture and catheter advancement, activate and dispose of the retracting needle mechanism according to the manufacturers instructions and facility sharps disposal requirements. Secure the catheter using an approved stabilization method and apply a sterile dressing. Monitor the site regularly for signs of infiltration, phlebitis, leakage, infection, or patient discomfort.

Certifications and Safety Standards

The Smiths Medical 306501 Protective Plus IV Catheter is manufactured for use in professional healthcare environments and should be handled in accordance with applicable medical device standards, facility policies, and infection control requirements. It is supplied as a sterile single-use device and should not be reused, resterilized, or used if the package is opened or damaged.

Healthcare providers should follow OSHA bloodborne pathogen precautions, sharps safety procedures, and all relevant institutional guidelines for peripheral IV insertion, catheter maintenance, and disposal. Always refer to the product labeling and facility-approved instructions before clinical use.

Comparison with Competitors

Compared with standard non-safety peripheral IV catheters, the Smiths Medical 306501 Protective Plus IV Catheter offers the added advantage of a retracting needle design, helping support safer post-insertion handling. This can be especially valuable in busy healthcare settings where needlestick risk reduction and workflow efficiency are important.

When compared with other safety IV catheter options, this product provides a dependable combination of 18G vascular access capability, clear gauge identification, practical packaging, and Smiths Medical quality. Facilities that require larger-bore peripheral access may find this catheter well suited for emergency, surgical, inpatient, and infusion applications.

Typical User Profile and Application Scenarios

The Smiths Medical 306501 Protective Plus IV Catheter is commonly used by nurses, emergency clinicians, anesthesia teams, infusion specialists, surgical staff, and other trained healthcare professionals responsible for peripheral IV access. It is appropriate for facilities that need consistent IV catheter performance and safety-focused needle handling.

Common use scenarios include emergency department intake, preoperative preparation, postoperative care, inpatient IV therapy, outpatient infusion, and procedures requiring dependable peripheral venous access. The 18G size is often selected when a larger catheter is clinically appropriate for the prescribed treatment or expected flow requirements.

Best Practices for Use and Maintenance

For best results, choose the catheter gauge and insertion site based on the therapy, vein condition, patient age, clinical urgency, and facility protocol. Maintain strict aseptic technique during insertion and ensure the catheter is properly stabilized to reduce movement and site irritation.

Assess the IV site regularly and document insertion details according to institutional policy. Replace dressings, tubing, and related components as directed by facility guidelines. Dispose of all sharps and used materials immediately in approved containers. Do not attempt to reuse or modify the catheter or retracting needle mechanism.

Regulatory and Safety Information

The Smiths Medical 306501 Protective Plus IV Catheter is intended for professional healthcare use only. It should be used only by qualified personnel trained in peripheral intravenous catheter insertion and maintenance. Follow all applicable federal, state, local, and facility requirements for sterile medical devices, sharps safety, infection prevention, and medical waste disposal.

Do not use the device if the sterile barrier is compromised, the product is expired, or the catheter appears damaged. Patient monitoring is required throughout IV therapy. Any adverse event, device malfunction, or suspected product issue should be reported according to facility policy and applicable regulatory requirements.

How to Order

Select the Smiths Medical 306501 Protective Plus IV Catheter, 18G x 1" Retracting Needle, Green, 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.