BETHLEHEM, PA--(Marketwired - Jul 22, 2015) -   B. Braun Medical Inc. (B.Braun), an industry pioneer in eliminating DEHP (a plasticizer and known toxicant) and PVC (a likely carcinogen when incinerated) from its medical products, sponsored an award to honor healthcare facilities making conscious efforts to provide the best products to their patients and focused on protecting the environment. At the CleanMed 2015 annual conference in Portland, Oregon, B.Braun presented NorthShore University HealthSystem Evanston with the Practice Greenhealth DEHP-Free Award. B.Braun is a proud member of Practice Greenhealth, a membership organization for institutions and businesses in the healthcare field who are engaged in reducing their environmental footprints.

"NorthShore University HealthSystem Evanston strives for excellence through, our journey to reduce the use of chemicals of concern in our facilities and promote a safe and healing environment for our patients, staff and visitors," said Michael Fiore, NorthShore's Director of Environmental Occupational Health and Safety/ Sustainability. "We would like to thank B.Braun for recognizing our ongoing efforts to replace DEHP-containing PVC medical devices with safer alternatives," Fiore added.

"B.Braun takes great pride in our robust line of safe and effective medical products that are not made with DEHP and PVC. We are equally proud to recognize healthcare facilities like NorthShore University HealthSystem that share our same commitment to eliminating these toxic materials from the healthcare setting," said Rick Williamson, Vice President of Pharmaceutical Marketing at B.Braun.

Exposure to these toxic materials has been a growing concern for healthcare facilities around the world. Studies show that excessive exposure to DEHP can potentially lead to adverse health effects, especially to a patient's liver, kidneys and lungs, as well as their heart rate and blood pressure.¹ More than three decades ago, B.Braun recognized the environmental and patient risks posed by products containing DEHP and PVC. As a result, B.Braun was the first medical device manufacturer to remove these harmful substances from many products and today is the only supplier that offers a full line of solution containers that are not made with DEHP or PVC. B.Braun is strongly committed to finding alternative methods to manufacture safer products such as the TITAN™ XL irrigation bags and E^3® IV containers.

About B. Braun
B. Braun Medical Inc. (B.Braun), a leader in infusion therapy and pain management, develops, manufactures, and markets innovative medical products and services to the healthcare industry. The Company is committed to eliminating preventable treatment errors and enhancing patient, clinician and environmental safety. Guided by its "Sharing Expertise^®" philosophy, B.Braun continuously exchanges knowledge with customers, partners and clinicians to address the critical issues of improving care and lowering costs.

The B.Braun Group of Companies in the U.S. includes B.Braun, B.Braun Interventional Systems, Aesculap^® and CAPS^®. B.Braun's U.S. headquarters is located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The B.Braun Group of Companies employs more than 54,000 employees in more than 60 countries throughout the world. To learn more about B.Braun visit www.BBraunUSA.com.

¹ Washington State Nurses Association