Around 50%

of post-insertion catheter-related infections are considered to be caused by colonisation of the catheter hubs and needle-free connectors, through subsequent bacterial ingress into the catheter lumen.¹

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend disinfecting clean skin using a > 0.5% chlorhexidine solution with alcohol before inserting a central venous catheter (CVCs) or peripheral arterial catheter and when changing catheter dressings². The use of disinfecting caps with a 70% IPA solution on needle-free connectors has been associated with a significant reduction in CLABSI³.

1. Moureau NL, Flynn J. Disinfection of Needleless Connector Hubs: Clinical Evidence Systematic Review. Nurs Res Pract. 2015;2015:796762. doi: 10.1155/2015/796762.

2. O’Grady NP, Alexander M, Burns LA, et al. Guidelines for the Prevention of Intravascular Catheter-related Infections. Clin Infect Dis. 2011;52(9):e162-193. doi: 10.1093/cid/cir25710.1093/cid/cir257.

3. Sweet MA, Cumpston A, Briggs F, Craig M, Hamadani M. Impact of alcohol-impregnated port protectors and needleless neutral pressure connectors on central line-associated bloodstream infections and contamination of blood cultures in an inpatient oncology unit. Am J Infect Control. 2012;40(10):931-934. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2012.01.025.

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