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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2020 Sep;48(9):1013-1018.
doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2019.11.030. Epub 2020 Jan 10.

Peripheral intravenous catheter needleless connector decontamination study-Randomized controlled trial

Karen Slater  1 , Marie Cooke  2 , Fiona Fullerton  3 , Michael Whitby  4 , Jennine Hay  5 , Scott Lingard  5 , Joel Douglas  5 , Claire M Rickard  2
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Peripheral intravenous catheter needleless connector decontamination study-Randomized controlled trial

Karen Slater et al. Am J Infect Control. 2020 Sep.

Erratum in

  • Erratum.
    [No authors listed] [No authors listed] Am J Infect Control. 2022 Apr;50(4):475. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2022.01.006. Am J Infect Control. 2022. PMID: 35369939 No abstract available.

Abstract

Background: Needleless connectors (NCs) were introduced to reduce health care work needlestick injuries (NSIs). If not decontaminated prior to use, NCs can be a portal for patient blood stream infections. The optimal disinfectant, and its application duration, for NC decontamination has not been empirically established.

Methods: Factorial design randomized controlled trial comparing 70% isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and 2% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) in 70% IPA for 5, 10, or 15 seconds, in adult medical patients with peripheral intravenous catheters.

Results: At baseline, 153 of 300 NCs (51%) grew microorganisms commonly found on the skin. Decontamination was successful in 150/153 (98%). There was no significant difference in decontamination between 70% IPA or 2% CHG in 70% IPA (P = .62), or decontamination for 5, 10, or 15 seconds (P = .21).

Conclusions: There was no difference in the effectiveness of 70% IPA and 2% CHG in 70% IPA for NC decontamination for peripheral intravenous catheters in the clinical environment. Successful decontamination was not different for applications of 5, 10, and 15 seconds; 15 seconds did not always remove all microorganisms. Factors such as cost, feasibility of compliance, and low risk of allergy support 5 seconds decontamination with 70% IPA as an acceptable approach.

Keywords: Blood stream infection; Microbiology.

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