• BJN publication featuring VALGuard offers healthcare professionals essential Continuing Education Credits

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario / Nov 15, 2023 / Business Wire / Covalon Technologies Ltd. (the "Company" or "Covalon") (TSXV: COV; OTCQX: CVALF), an advanced medical technologies company, today proudly announced the publication of an article in the British Journal of Nursing (BJN), titled “Guarding the Central Venous Access Device: A New Solution for an Old Problem”, authored by Darcy Doellman, MSN, RN, VA‐BC, a leading expert in pediatric vascular access.¹ The article sheds light on innovative practices to strengthen infection prevention bundles used within vascular access by featuring VALGuard – a novel, transparent line guard that protects central venous access hubs from gross contamination. Recently retired from the highest‐ranked US Children’s Hospital, Darcy is a thought leader in the field of pediatric vascular access, authoring clinical guidelines, facilitating courses on pediatric intravenous skills and catheter insertions across the US, and regularly publishing research in prominent peer-reviewed journals.

“We are deeply grateful to the British Journal of Nursing for featuring this important work. The publication not only brings to light the ongoing challenges in maintaining safe and stable venous access, but also underscores the importance of innovative technologies like Covalon’s in helping to tackle these issues”, said Ron Hebert, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Covalon. “It’s an honor to see Covalon’s VALGuard being recognized by such a respected journal. Our vision is clear: to help healthcare providers strengthen their infection prevention bundles by getting innovative technology like VALGuard into the hands of the frontline.”

The article, originally featured in the Journal of Association for Vascular Access (JAVA) and referred for publication in BJN, updates healthcare professionals on various sources of CVAD (Central Venous Access Device) contamination as a major contributor to CLABSIs (Central line‐associated blood stream infections), while highlighting practices and innovations designed to help address this critical issue. The article qualifies healthcare professionals for CE (continuing education) credits.

Article highlights include:

• CLABSIs are a major concern in both the adult and pediatric patient population.
• Contamination of catheter hubs is a common cause of CLABSI.
• A novel, transparent line guard (VALGuard) protects CVAD hubs from gross contamination.

CLABSIs are healthcare‐acquired infections associated with prolonged use of central venous access devices. CLABSIs are a major concern for patients, particularly neonatal and pediatric patients, and for healthcare providers. In recent times, since the start of the COVID‐19 pandemic, CLABSI rates have risen significantly, with the United States Center for Disease Control reporting a 65% CLABSI increase in Intensive Care Units in 2020.²

Now, more than ever, new solutions are needed to address increased CLABSI rates. VALGuard is a novel, transparent line guard that helps protect CVAD hubs from gross contamination and strengthen critical infection prevention bundles, which play an essential role in keeping patients safe.

Those interested in learning more about Covalon’s solutions can visit www.covalon.com or follow Covalon on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

References

1. Doellman, D. Guarding the Central venous Access Device: A New Solution for an Old Problem. British Journal of Nursing. 2023;32(19):S20-S25.
2. Center for Disease Control & Prevention. 2020 National and State Healthcare-Associated Infections Progress Report. https://www.cdc.gov/hai/data/archive/2020-HAI-progress-report.html

About Covalon

Covalon Technologies Ltd. is a patient-driven medical device company, built on the relentless pursuit to help the most vulnerable patients have a better chance at healing. Through a strong portfolio of patented technologies and solutions for advanced wound care and medical device coatings, we offer innovative, gentler, and more compassionate options for patients to heal. Our solutions are designed for patients and made for care providers. Covalon leverages its patented medical technology platforms and expertise in two ways: (i) by developing products that are sold under Covalon’s name; and (ii) by developing and commercializing medical products for other medical companies under development and license contracts. The Company is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange, having the symbol COV and trades on the OTCQX Market under the symbol CVALF. To learn more about Covalon, visit our website at www.covalon.com.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release may contain forward-looking statements which reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events. The forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan, "estimate", "expect", "intend", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events, or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might”, “will” or “will be taken”, “occur”, or “be achieved”. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts, but instead represent management’s expectations, estimates, and projections regarding future events. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the factors described in greater detail in the “Risks and Uncertainties” section of our management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations for the year ended September 30, 2022, which is available on the Company’s profile at www.sedarplus.ca, any of which could cause results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from the results discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Investors should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, further events, or otherwise, except as required by law.