Smiths Medical 308600 - Protectiv IV Catheter 20G 50/Bx, 4 BX/CA

The Smiths Medical 308600 Protectiv IV Catheter is a professional-grade peripheral intravenous catheter designed for reliable vascular access in clinical care environments. This 20G x 1.25 inch catheter features a retracting needle design that supports safer insertion workflow and helps reduce the risk of accidental needlestick exposure after catheter placement. Supplied in 50 units per box and 4 boxes per case, it is suitable for hospitals, outpatient clinics, ambulatory care centers, emergency departments, and medical supply procurement programs that require dependable IV access products.

Key Benefits

• 20G catheter size supports common peripheral IV access needs for fluid administration, medication delivery, and blood draw applications when clinically appropriate.
• Retracting needle design helps support safer handling after insertion and assists facilities with sharps safety initiatives.
• 1.25 inch catheter length provides practical access for a wide range of adult and clinical patient care scenarios.
• Pink color coding helps clinicians quickly identify the 20G gauge size during preparation and use.
• Packaged 50 per box and 4 boxes per case to support efficient stocking, purchasing, and department-level supply management.
• Designed for professional healthcare use in environments where consistent catheter quality and dependable performance are required.

Compatibility and Applications

The Smiths Medical 308600 Protectiv IV Catheter is intended for use with standard peripheral IV access procedures performed by trained healthcare professionals. It may be used in clinical settings where a 20G peripheral IV catheter is appropriate for prescribed therapy, fluid delivery, medication administration, contrast preparation protocols where permitted, or short-term vascular access based on institutional guidelines.

This catheter is commonly applicable in acute care units, surgical centers, emergency care settings, infusion areas, diagnostic departments, physician offices, and other professional medical environments. Compatibility should always be confirmed with the facility protocol, patient condition, ordered therapy, and any related IV administration sets, extension sets, connectors, or infusion systems used in the care pathway.

Usage Guidelines

• Use only by licensed or trained healthcare professionals following facility-approved IV insertion procedures.
• Select the catheter gauge and length based on patient anatomy, vein condition, therapy type, flow requirements, and clinical judgment.
• Inspect the package before use and do not use if the sterile barrier appears damaged, opened, or compromised.
• Prepare the insertion site using the facilitys approved antiseptic technique and infection prevention protocol.
• After successful placement, secure the catheter according to institutional policy to reduce movement and support patient comfort.
• Dispose of the needle and all sharps-related components in an approved sharps container immediately after use.
• Do not reuse, reprocess, or resterilize single-use IV catheter products.

Certifications and Safety Standards

The Smiths Medical 308600 Protectiv IV Catheter is designed for use in regulated healthcare environments where sterile single-use vascular access devices are required. Facilities should review the product packaging, manufacturer documentation, and internal purchasing records for applicable regulatory status, lot information, expiration dating, and product-specific compliance details.

As with all IV catheter products, users should follow OSHA bloodborne pathogen precautions, CDC infection prevention guidance, facility sharps safety policies, and all applicable local, state, and federal regulations. Proper training, aseptic technique, and post-use sharps disposal are essential for safe clinical use.

Comparison with Competitors

Compared with standard non-safety IV catheters, the Smiths Medical 308600 Protectiv IV Catheter offers the advantage of a retracting needle design that supports safer handling after catheter insertion. This can be especially valuable for facilities focused on needlestick risk reduction, staff protection, and compliance with sharps safety best practices.

When compared with other safety IV catheter options, this product provides a practical balance of familiar catheter sizing, color-coded gauge identification, clinical usability, and bulk case packaging. The 20G x 1.25 inch configuration is a widely used size for routine peripheral IV access, making it a strong option for facilities that need consistent inventory for daily patient care workflows.

Typical User Profile and Application Scenarios

This product is typically used by nurses, emergency department clinicians, infusion teams, surgical center staff, outpatient care providers, and other trained healthcare professionals responsible for peripheral IV access. It is suitable for healthcare teams that need a reliable 20G IV catheter for routine patient care, preoperative access, short-term infusion therapy, emergency access preparation, and general medication or fluid administration when clinically indicated.

Procurement teams, supply chain managers, and clinical department leads may choose the Smiths Medical 308600 Protectiv IV Catheter for standardized stocking across care areas where safety-engineered IV access products are preferred. The 50/bx, 4 bx/cs packaging format supports organized supply distribution and predictable restocking for busy clinical departments.

Best Practices for Use and Maintenance

• Store catheters in a clean, dry location according to manufacturer and facility storage requirements.
• Rotate stock using first-expiring, first-out inventory management to reduce waste and support product readiness.
• Confirm gauge, length, package integrity, and expiration date before opening the device.
• Use aseptic technique throughout preparation, insertion, stabilization, and connection to IV accessories.
• Monitor the insertion site according to facility protocol for signs of infiltration, phlebitis, infection, leakage, or catheter displacement.
• Replace or remove the catheter according to clinical indication, facility policy, and patient condition.
• Document catheter placement, gauge, site, time, patient response, and any complications according to institutional standards.

Regulatory and Safety Information

The Smiths Medical 308600 Protectiv IV Catheter should be used only for its intended clinical purpose and only by qualified healthcare professionals. It is not intended for reuse. Reuse of single-use IV catheter products may increase the risk of contamination, infection, device failure, and patient harm.

Clinicians should follow the manufacturers instructions for use, facility vascular access policies, infection prevention procedures, and sharps disposal requirements. Patient-specific factors such as vein quality, therapy type, allergies, bleeding risk, and clinical status should be considered before catheter selection and placement.

How to Order

Select the Smiths Medical 308600 Protectiv Plus-W IV Catheter, 20G x 1.25 inch Retracting Needle, Pink, 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.