SyberMed Donates LineBacker Systems for Haitian Medical Relief Efforts

Columbus startup SyberMed Enterprises, LLC, recently donated 2,500 of their LineBacker tapeless IV securing systems for use on the ground in Haiti.  The systems were donated to Project HOPE, one of the primary humanitarian relief organization providing medical care and supplies to the thousands of victims of the January 12th earthquake that devastated the island nation of Haiti. 

SyberMed, a developer of durable medical supplies, reached out to Project HOPE the day following the earthquake with an offer to donate the company’s patented LineBacker Systems which secure IV catheters to a patient without the use of tape.

“In watching the coverage of the Haitian relief efforts, we felt very strongly that the LineBacker system could have a significant impact on emergency medical care on the ground,” says Curtis Sybert, vice president of operations for SyberMed.  “Tape could never hold IVs securely in place in the harsh conditions health care providers are facing in Haiti.”

The LineBacker System was developed by David Sybert, chief of anesthesiology at OhioHealth.   The patented system uses a strap that replaces tape to secure IVs.  The product was recently named a “Top Product” in the 2009 annual review by EMS Professionals magazine for its superior performance in securing IV tubing and significantly reducing the incidences of IV re-starts. 

“Even in the best environmental conditions, IV tubing can become dislodged during transport or by patient movements,” says Dr. David Sybert, founder and CEO of SyberMed.  “Imagine how much more challenging securing IVs would be under disaster conditions such as those healthcare providers are facing in Haiti.” 
Under normal conditions, re-starts pose many threats to patient and caregiver safety as well as increased risks of infection.  These risks are amplified under disaster conditions.  In addition, qualified medical personnel are in short supply in Haiti, thus efficiency of care delivery is paramount.  Unnecessary re-starts take valued nursing time away from other patients in need of care.  The LineBacker Systems will hopefully cut down on at least a portion of these re-starts.

Upon reviewing the specifications of the LineBacker System, Patricia Bacuros, director of Gifts-in-Kind Donations with Project HOPE, reported that medical staff was excited to get the device.  Bacuros reported the units would be sent first to the Dominican Republic and then sent by ship for use on the ground in Haiti.