Study Examines Role of IV Disinfection Cap in Catheter Bundle

In the NorthShore study, Wright and colleagues examined the effect of incorporating an alcohol disinfecting cap into the catheter maintenance bundle. CLABSIs were observed to decline in the health system by a total of 51 percent with the new protocol.
The change in catheter protocol was determined to be cost-neutralizing by avoiding infections and associated additional length of stay, Wright says.
IV connectors help provide intravenous therapy to patients by connecting tubing to catheters. However, these connectors can be a source of potentially dangerous bacteria, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Traditional disinfection of IV connectors involves manually scrubbing them with isopropyl alcohol (IPA) for 15 seconds. But this approach can be subject to risky variations and noncompliance.

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