Smiths Medical 3265 - ViaValve Safety I.V. Catheter, Straight Hub (Green), Radiopaque, 18g x 1 1/4", Polyurethane, 200/CS

ViaValve and ViaValve Winged Safety IV Catheters provides blood control to help reduce the risk of blood exposure and contamination. A unique valve inside the catheter hub impedes blood flow from the patients vein upon initial venipuncture. Maintaining a clean access site helps prevent the transfer of bloodborne pathogens from patient to caregiver on soiled gloves, clothing, bedding and dressings. The catheter valve, once in the patients vein, is activated by attaching the Luer fitting of an infusion line which opens the valve to allow unrestricted flow.

ViaValve and ViaValve Winged Safety IV Catheters also help prevent unintended needlesticks. Its safety guard surrounds the retracted introducer needle and produces a click to indicate that the needle is contained for handling and disposal.

Smiths Medical 3265 ViaValve Safety I.V. Catheter Specifications

Benefits of Smiths Medical 3265 ViaValve Safety I.V. Catheter

• ViaValve is now available with wings for greater clinician choice and enhanced securement.
• ViaValve Safety IV Catheters feature polyurethane catheter tubes that soften and become more pliable, allowing longer in-dwell.
• ViaValve Winged Safety IV Catheters feature polyurethane catheter tubes that offer similar handling and performance with improved kink flow recovery.
• Fully encased needle safety design helps prevent needle stick injuries and blood exposure.
• Sliding shield provides greater control during one-handed insertion and threading.
• Catheters ribbed hub facilitates catheter securement.
• FLASH-VUE early flash indicator reveals when the needle tip enters a vein, featured on gauges 20 to 24.
• V-point needle helps maximize patient comfort with low penetration force.

Smiths Medical 3265 ViaValve Safety I.V. Catheter Guide for Successful Insertion

One Handed Technique

Apply tourniquet and prepare site according to policy. Hold catheter by ribbed needle housing with thumb and fi ngers to insert needle into skin. Visually inspect to confi rm that needle bevel and push-off tab are facing up. Anchor vein with gentle skin traction. Insert needle at appropriate angle.	Observe for fl ashback. If needed, slightly advance catheter and needle together to achieve full catheter entry into vein lumen. Place index fi nger behind the primary push-off tab and PUSH catheter to thread to desired length. DO NOT REINSERT NEEDLE INTO CATHETER AT ANY TIME.	Stabilize device at push-off tab with index fi nger. Holding ribbed needle housing, PULL needle into needle guard until you hear a CLICK. THE CLICK AND VISUAL INSPECTION INDICATE THAT SAFETY DEVICE HAS ENGAGED SUCCESSFULLY.	Remove tourniquet. Apply digital pressure as needed beyond catheter tip. Hold catheter hub and needle housing. Disconnect needle housing by pulling backwards with a slight upward motion. Connect Luer lock or tubing to hub per manufacturers recommendation. Secure connection with fi rm push and twist. Stabilize and dress according to policy

Two Handed Technique

Apply tourniquet and prepare site according to policy. Hold catheter by ribbed needle housing with thumb and fi ngers to insert needle into skin. Visually inspect to confi rm that needle bevel and push-off tab are facing up. Anchor vein with gentle skin traction. Insert needle at appropriate angle.	Observe for fl ashback. If needed, slightly advance catheter and needle together to achieve full catheter entry into vein lumen. Place fi nger or thumb of other hand behind the primary push-off tab and PUSH catheter to thread to desired length. DO NOT REINSERT NEEDLE INTO CATHETER AT ANY TIME.	Stabilize device at push-off tab with fi nger or thumb. Holding ribbed needle housing, PULL needle into needle guard until you hear a CLICK. THE CLICK AND VISUAL INSPECTION INDICATE THAT SAFETY DEVICE HAS ENGAGED SUCCESSFULLY.	Remove tourniquet. Apply digital pressure as needed beyond catheter tip. Hold catheter hub and needle housing. Disconnect needle housing by pulling backwards with a slight upward motion. Connect Luer lock or tubing to hub per manufacturers recommendation. Secure connection with fi rm push and twist. Stabilize and dress according to policy

ViaValve Safety IV Catheter Clinical Tips

Smiths Medical 3265 ViaValve Safety I.V. Catheter, Straight Hub, Radiopaque 18g x 1 1/4 Inch, Green, Polyurethane, 200/CS

Product Overview

The Smiths Medical 3265 ViaValve Safety I.V. Catheter is a sterile peripheral intravenous catheter designed for reliable vascular access in clinical environments where safety, visibility, and dependable performance are essential. This 18g x 1 1/4 inch catheter features a straight green hub, radiopaque construction, and polyurethane catheter material to support smooth insertion, secure placement, and clear identification during use.

Packaged 200 per case, this ViaValve safety I.V. catheter is suitable for hospitals, emergency departments, outpatient centers, surgical units, and other healthcare settings that require consistent, high-quality peripheral IV access supplies. Its safety-oriented design helps support clinician protection while maintaining practical usability for routine and higher-flow intravenous therapy applications.

Key Benefits

• 18g x 1 1/4 inch size supports a broad range of peripheral IV access needs, including higher-flow therapy when clinically appropriate.
• Straight hub design provides a familiar handling profile for clinicians during insertion and securement.
• Green color coding helps support quick gauge identification in busy care environments.
• Radiopaque catheter material improves visibility under imaging when confirmation or assessment is needed.
• Polyurethane construction offers flexibility and strength for dependable vascular access performance.
• Safety catheter design helps reduce accidental needlestick exposure when used according to facility protocol and manufacturer instructions.
• Case packaging of 200 units supports efficient stocking for departments with frequent IV catheter use.

Compatibility and Applications

The Smiths Medical 3265 ViaValve Safety I.V. Catheter is intended for peripheral intravenous access and may be used with compatible IV administration sets, extension sets, securement products, dressings, and standard vascular access accessories used in accordance with facility policy. Its 18g size is commonly selected when a larger peripheral catheter is needed for clinical situations that may require increased flow capacity.

Common applications include medication administration, fluid therapy, perioperative access, emergency care, outpatient infusion support, and other peripheral IV procedures where an 18g catheter is appropriate based on patient assessment and clinician judgment. Compatibility should always be verified with the catheter instructions for use, institutional standards, and the intended therapy.

Usage Guidelines

• Use only by trained healthcare professionals following approved vascular access procedures.
• Inspect the package before use and do not use if the sterile barrier is damaged, opened, or compromised.
• Select the catheter gauge and length based on patient condition, vein quality, prescribed therapy, and facility protocol.
• Prepare the insertion site using appropriate antiseptic technique and allow the site to dry before catheter placement.
• Insert, advance, secure, and dress the catheter according to manufacturer instructions and institutional policy.
• Dispose of the introducer needle and used components immediately in an approved sharps container.
• Monitor the IV site regularly for signs of infiltration, phlebitis, leakage, infection, occlusion, or patient discomfort.

Certifications and Safety Standards

The Smiths Medical 3265 ViaValve Safety I.V. Catheter is manufactured for professional medical use and should be handled according to applicable healthcare facility standards for sterile peripheral vascular access devices. The safety catheter design supports occupational safety practices intended to help reduce accidental needlestick injuries during IV insertion and disposal.

Healthcare facilities should verify current product documentation, labeling, lot information, expiration dating, and any applicable regulatory or compliance records through authorized purchasing channels. Use should align with OSHA bloodborne pathogen precautions, infection prevention policies, sharps safety procedures, and the manufacturer instructions for use.

Comparison with Competitors

Compared with standard non-safety IV catheters, the Smiths Medical 3265 ViaValve Safety I.V. Catheter provides an added safety-focused design intended to help protect clinicians after catheter placement. Its radiopaque polyurethane catheter, straight hub configuration, and green gauge identification make it a practical option for facilities that need dependable peripheral IV access products with familiar handling and safety-oriented performance.

When compared with similar 18g safety IV catheters, this product stands out for its combination of Smiths Medical quality, ViaValve safety design, radiopaque visibility, polyurethane construction, and case packaging suitable for high-volume clinical supply needs. Product selection should be based on clinical preference, facility standardization, patient needs, and compatibility with existing IV therapy protocols.

Typical User Profile and Application Scenarios

This catheter is commonly used by nurses, emergency department clinicians, anesthesia teams, surgical staff, infusion professionals, and other trained healthcare providers responsible for peripheral IV access. The 18g x 1 1/4 inch size may be selected for adult patients when a larger gauge catheter is clinically suitable and adequate vein access is available.

Typical use scenarios include emergency department starts, preoperative access, perioperative fluid administration, rapid medication delivery, outpatient procedures, and inpatient IV therapy. The product is especially useful for facilities that require standardized safety IV catheters in bulk quantities while maintaining consistent quality and ease of identification.

Best Practices for Use and Maintenance

• Store the product in a clean, dry area according to package labeling and facility storage requirements.
• Rotate inventory by expiration date to support proper stock management and reduce waste.
• Confirm catheter size, packaging integrity, and sterility before opening the device.
• Use aseptic technique throughout insertion, securement, access, and maintenance.
• Secure the catheter properly to help reduce movement, dislodgement, and site irritation.
• Assess the insertion site at intervals required by facility policy and remove the catheter if complications are suspected.
• Do not reuse, resterilize, or repurpose single-use catheter components.

Regulatory and Safety Information

The Smiths Medical 3265 ViaValve Safety I.V. Catheter is intended for professional healthcare use and should be used only in accordance with the manufacturer instructions for use, facility policies, and applicable clinical standards. It is a single-use sterile device and should not be used if the package is damaged or if the expiration date has passed.

Clinicians should follow standard precautions, sharps safety requirements, bloodborne pathogen protocols, and infection control guidelines during insertion and disposal. Patient assessment, vein selection, therapy requirements, and ongoing site monitoring remain essential for safe and effective peripheral IV catheter use.

How to Order

Select the Smiths Medical 3265 ViaValve Safety I.V. Catheter, Straight Hub (Green), Radiopaque, 18g x 1 1/4", Polyurethane, 200/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.