Covalon Announces Publication of Clinical Study Demonstrating Significant Reduction in CLABSIs with VALGuard® Line Guard
Covalon Technologies Ltd., an advanced medical technologies company, today announced the publication of peer-reviewed clinical results demonstrating the effectiveness of Covalon’s VALGuard® Vascular Access Line Guard in reducing central line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs). The study, conducted at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, a nationally recognized U.S. pediatric hospital, was published in the Journal of the Association for Vascular Access (JAVA).
The paper, titled “Evaluation of a Line Guard for Pediatric CLABSI Prevention: A Pre-Post Intervention Study”, highlights the significant impact VALGuard® had on CLABSI rates, including achieving a sustained period of zero CLABSIs in the hospital’s Pediatric Critical Care Unit (PCCU). These findings further validate the urgent role of innovative technologies like VALGuard® in protecting vulnerable patients from life-threatening infections.
The Burden of CLABSIs
CLABSIs remain among the most severe and costly healthcare-associated infections worldwide. Each year, hundreds of thousands of patients develop bloodstream infections linked to central lines, with devastating consequences. These infections carry high mortality rates, contribute to prolonged hospital stays, and add billions of dollars in excess costs to health systems. Because CLABSIs are largely preventable, reducing their incidence has become a top safety priority for hospitals and healthcare organizations globally.
VALGuard®: A Practical Solution to Line Contamination
Covalon’s VALGuard® Line Guard is a transparent, single-use barrier device designed to cover IV line connections and catheter hubs. Its purpose is to shield these high-risk points from contamination during patient care. By addressing a well-recognized pathway for infection, VALGuard® offers a simple, effective addition to central line maintenance bundles without requiring major changes to established clinical workflows.
Study Design and Key Findings
The pre-post intervention study evaluated the effectiveness of VALGuard® across two care settings within the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore: the Pediatric Critical Care Unit (PCCU) and the Acute Care Units. Results were compelling:
- Pediatric Critical Care Unit (PCCU): In this setting, where adherence to VALGuard® use was highest, CLABSI rates decreased by 100%. Before implementation, the average monthly CLABSI rate was 1.8 infections per 1,000 line days across 15 months. Following VALGuard® adoption, the rate dropped to zero across 16 consecutive months.
- Acute Care Units: In these units, the average monthly CLABSI rate decreased by 53%. Rates fell from 1.5 infections per 1,000 line days before implementation to 0.7 per 1,000 line days post-implementation.
These findings demonstrate that consistent use of VALGuard® can lead to measurable, sustained reductions in bloodstream infections across diverse patient populations.
Expert and Company Perspectives
“As a leading pediatric hospital, we care for children with a variety of serious illnesses and are always focused on providing sophisticated care in the safest, most effective way,” said Dr. Diana Lulgjuraj, PhD, RN, CPN, Clinical Nurse Scientist and Assistant Director of Nursing Research at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore. “Our research shows that incorporating a line guard into our infection-prevention protocols can deliver meaningful benefits for children requiring central line access.”
Dr. Katherine Evely, VP of Clinical Affairs at Covalon, emphasized the broader implications of this study. “The publication of this study marks an important milestone for Covalon and for VALGuard®. It represents novel, peer-reviewed evidence supporting the product’s clinical impact when used as part of an infection prevention bundle. We believe these results highlight VALGuard’s potential to play a critical role in reducing preventable infections in hospitals everywhere.”
Broader Impact and Recognition
This peer-reviewed publication provides strong independent validation of VALGuard®’s effectiveness, reinforcing Covalon’s strategic focus on infection prevention solutions within its Vascular Access and Surgical Consumables business segment. By demonstrating that the device can significantly reduce CLABSIs in real-world hospital settings, Covalon is well positioned to expand adoption of VALGuard® across pediatric and adult care facilities.
The study has already attracted recognition within the vascular access and nursing communities. A scientific poster derived from the research was one of only four selected for podium presentation during a pediatric-focused session at the Association for Vascular Access annual scientific meeting in September. Additionally, the findings will be showcased at the ANCC National Magnet Conference in October, one of the premier gatherings for nursing professionals worldwide.
Access to Study
The full study is published in the Fall 2025 edition of JAVA. Healthcare professionals and researchers can access the article directly:
Citation:
Lulgjuraj D, Buckenmyer T, Biel N. Evaluation of a Line Guard for Pediatric Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection Prevention: A Pre-Post Intervention Study. Journal of the Association for Vascular Access. 2025;30(3):29–34. doi:10.2309/JAVA-D-25-00005
Looking Ahead
Covalon continues to pursue innovations that protect patients from infection and improve clinical outcomes. The company views the VALGuard® study as a significant validation of its technology and a catalyst for accelerating growth in key markets. As hospitals strive to eliminate preventable infections and reduce healthcare costs, evidence-based solutions like VALGuard® will play an increasingly critical role in supporting safer patient care.
Interested parties may request further information by contacting Covalon at investors@covalon.com.
Those interested in learning about Covalon’s solutions may visit www.covalon.com or follow Covalon on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, or X.
About Covalon
Covalon is a leading medical device company dedicated to improving patient outcomes through innovative and compassionate medical products and technologies. Our expertise spans advanced wound care, vascular access, and surgical consumables, with a strong focus on enhancing healing, reducing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), and protecting skin integrity. Our solutions are designed for patients and made for care providers. The Company is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (COV) and trades on the OTCQX Market (CVALF). To learn more about Covalon, visit our website at www.covalon.com.
