Smiths Medical 308600 - Protectiv Plus-W IV Catheter, 20G x 1" Retracting Needle, Pink, 50/bx, 4 bx/cs

The Smiths Medical 308600 Protectiv Plus-W IV Catheter is a 20G x 1.25 inch peripheral IV catheter designed for reliable vascular access in clinical, hospital, outpatient, and emergency care settings. Built with a retracting needle safety design, this catheter helps support safer IV insertion practices while maintaining dependable performance for routine infusion therapy, medication administration, and blood draw procedures when clinically appropriate.

This pink 20G IV catheter offers a practical balance of flow capability and patient comfort, making it suitable for a wide range of adult and adolescent vascular access needs. Packaged as 50 catheters per box and 4 boxes per case, it supports efficient supply management for healthcare facilities with consistent IV access demand.

Key Benefits

The Smiths Medical 308600 Protectiv Plus-W IV Catheter is designed to help clinicians achieve controlled catheter placement while supporting patient and staff safety. Its retracting needle mechanism helps reduce the risk of accidental needlestick exposure after insertion, which is especially important in busy healthcare environments.

The 20G x 1.25 inch size provides versatility for common infusion needs, including IV fluids, selected medications, and general vascular access procedures. The pink color coding allows quick gauge identification, helping clinical teams select the appropriate catheter size during preparation and point-of-care use.

Bulk case packaging with 50 catheters per box and 4 boxes per case helps hospitals, clinics, surgical centers, and procurement teams maintain reliable inventory levels for daily IV therapy requirements.

Compatibility and Applications

The Smiths Medical 308600 Protectiv Plus-W IV Catheter is commonly used with standard peripheral IV therapy protocols and compatible IV administration systems, extension sets, needle-free connectors, syringes, and infusion equipment as directed by facility policy and product instructions.

Typical applications include peripheral venous access, hydration therapy, medication infusion, perioperative care, emergency department access, outpatient infusion support, and routine clinical treatment where a 20G catheter is appropriate. Final product selection should always be based on patient condition, vein quality, prescribed therapy, anticipated flow requirements, and clinician judgment.

Usage Guidelines

Use the Smiths Medical 308600 Protectiv Plus-W IV Catheter only by trained healthcare professionals following institutional IV insertion protocols and aseptic technique. Before use, inspect the package to confirm it is intact, sterile, and within the expiration date. Select an appropriate vein and catheter size based on the prescribed therapy and the patients vascular condition.

Prepare the insertion site according to facility infection prevention guidelines. Insert the catheter using approved clinical technique, advance the catheter as appropriate, and activate the retracting needle safety feature according to the manufacturers instructions. Secure the catheter with an appropriate dressing and stabilization method, then connect to the ordered IV system or accessory device as required.

Dispose of the used needle component and catheter-related waste in an approved sharps or biohazard container according to facility policy and applicable regulations.

Certifications and Safety Standards

The Smiths Medical 308600 Protectiv Plus-W IV Catheter is intended for professional medical use and should be handled according to applicable healthcare safety standards, infection control practices, and institutional policies for vascular access devices. The retracting needle safety design supports safer handling after insertion and may help facilities align with needlestick prevention practices.

Healthcare providers should follow the product labeling, manufacturer instructions for use, and all relevant clinical protocols for sterile IV catheter placement, securement, monitoring, and disposal.

Comparison with Competitors

Compared with conventional non-safety IV catheters, the Smiths Medical 308600 Protectiv Plus-W IV Catheter offers the advantage of a retracting needle safety feature, helping reduce accidental sharps exposure after cannulation. This makes it a practical choice for facilities prioritizing staff safety and needlestick risk reduction.

Compared with basic peripheral IV catheter options, this product combines a widely used 20G size, clear pink gauge identification, professional-grade packaging, and a safety-focused design. For facilities that need consistent performance, reliable inventory availability, and safer post-insertion handling, Smiths Medical 308600 provides a strong option for routine peripheral IV access.

Typical User Profile and Application Scenarios

This IV catheter is typically used by nurses, IV therapy teams, emergency department clinicians, surgical center staff, outpatient infusion teams, and other trained healthcare professionals responsible for peripheral venous access. It is well suited for hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, urgent care clinics, physician offices, infusion centers, and long-term care settings where sterile IV catheter placement is part of patient care.

Common use scenarios include starting peripheral IV lines for fluids, medications, perioperative support, diagnostic preparation, and short-term vascular access. The 20G x 1.25 inch size is often selected when moderate flow capability is needed while maintaining a manageable catheter profile for patient comfort.

Best Practices for Use and Maintenance

For best results, confirm the appropriate catheter gauge and length before insertion, use strict aseptic technique, and follow facility guidelines for skin antisepsis and catheter securement. Monitor the insertion site routinely for signs of infiltration, phlebitis, infection, leakage, dislodgement, or patient discomfort.

Keep the catheter site clean, dry, and properly dressed. Replace dressings, connectors, and administration sets according to institutional policy and clinical need. Avoid unnecessary manipulation of the IV site and maintain proper flushing practices as directed by facility protocols to support catheter patency.

Remove and replace the catheter when clinically indicated, when complications are suspected, or according to the healthcare facilitys vascular access policy.

Regulatory and Safety Information

The Smiths Medical 308600 Protectiv Plus-W IV Catheter is a sterile, single-use medical device intended for professional healthcare use. Do not reuse, resterilize, or use if the package is damaged or opened. Reuse may increase the risk of infection, device malfunction, cross-contamination, and patient injury.

Always follow the manufacturers instructions for use, facility policies, OSHA sharps safety practices, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations for medical device handling and sharps disposal. Product availability, specifications, and packaging may vary, so users should verify details before purchase and clinical use.

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.