By Healthcare Facilities Today

LIMERICK, Pa.- Teleflex Incorporated (NYSE: TFX), a leading global provider of medical devices for critical care and surgery, has announced the Community Surgery Center North, part of Community Health Network in Indianapolis, Indiana, will be the first healthcare facility to use the ISO-Gard Mask with ClearAir Technology.

The ISO-Gard Mask is designed to help reduce hazardous waste anesthetic gas (WAG) within a nurse's breathing zone to minimize the cumulative effect of low level exposure of WAG in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). The Community Surgery Center North served as the primary site for ISO-Gard Mask demonstrations and has now become the first center to incorporate the device into daily protocols.

"We value the safety of our nursing staff to ensure their ability to provide the highest quality care to patients," said Lou Bojrab, M.D., Medical Director, Community Surgery Center North. "Having partnered with Teleflex in demonstrating the impact of the ISO-Gard Mask to help reduce WAG in the PACU, we feel strongly that we need this device in our facility to help protect our staff."

The ISO-Gard Mask technology was developed by Teleflex in partnership with clinicians who identified an issue and wanted to take action. As the only solution available for "source control" of waste anesthetic gas in the recovery room, the specialized ClearAir Technology of the ISO-Gard Mask simultaneously delivers oxygen to patients and scavenges their exhalation to help limit exposure faced by clinicians.

Teleflex estimates that anesthetic gases are used in 20 million surgeries in the US annually and up to 100 million globally.(1) As patients recover in the PACU, they exhale these gases which are then released into the nurses' breathing zone and work environment.(2) The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) warns of several potential health effects from WAG exposure, including nausea, dizziness, headaches, and fatigue.(3)

"Exposure to waste anesthetic gases on a daily basis is an invisible risk to the healthcare providers working in recovery rooms," said Cary Vance, President, Anesthesia and Respiratory Division. "Teleflex commends the Community Surgery Center North for addressing the issue and taking action to comply with the OSHA Waste Anesthetic Gas Workplace Exposure guideline."

About Community Surgery Center North

Community Visionary Enterprises, Inc. (VEI), an affiliate within Community Health Network, implements health care ventures with physicians and hospitals that result in strong partnerships, outstanding quality of care, exceptional service and solid financial performance.

About Teleflex Incorporated

Teleflex is a leading global provider of specialty medical devices for a range of procedures in critical care and surgery. Our mission is to provide solutions that enable healthcare providers to improve outcomes and enhance patient and provider safety. Headquartered in Limerick, PA, Teleflex employs approximately 11,200 people worldwide and serves healthcare providers in more than 140 countries. Additional information about Teleflex can be obtained from the company's website at teleflex.com.