Port protectors in clinical practice: an audit

Abstract

This article discusses the effect on compliance and incidence of vascular access device (VAD)-related bacteraemia following the introduction of a passive disinfection device (Curos®) for 6 months in four areas at one hospital trust. The hospital's infection prevention and control team replaced the 'active' disinfection using a disinfection wipe with 'scrub the hub'. Disinfection wipes used for needle-free devices were removed from all four trial areas and Curos was incorporated into the aseptic non-touch technique (ANTT(®)) protocols for the trial wards. Staff training was provided before and during the study, and audits of staff compliance with Curos placement were undertaken monthly. A benchmarking audit of 'scrub the hub' techniques was conducted 1 month before audit began. The results of the audit showed VAD-related bacteraemia rates reduced by 69% from 26 cases (confirmed through review of blood culture laboratory data and source identified by consultant microbiologists) before the study, to 8 when staff compliance with Curos placement onto VADs was 80% or more.

Keywords: Catheter-related infections; Compliance; Disinfection; Infection control.