Incidence of central venous catheter hub contamination

What every intensivist should know about..Patient safety huddles in the ICU

Patient safety huddles are brief, multidisciplinary conversations that focus on a specific topic or event. Huddles have been shown to improve communication among healthcare providers in a variety of settings, including the intensive care unit (ICU). This paper presents key features of patient safety huddles and describes the ways in which huddle techniques may be particularly relevant to the practice of critical care.

Integration of Riboflavin-Modified Carbon Fiber Mesh Electrode Systems in a 3D-Printed Catheter Hub

BACKGROUND

Catheter line infection is a common complication within clinical environments, and there is a pressing need for technological options to aid in reducing the possibility of sepsis. The early identification of contamination could be pivotal in reducing cases and improving outcomes.

METHOD

A sensing rationale based on a riboflavin-modified electrode system integrated within a modified 3D-printed catheter needle-free connector is proposed, which can monitor changes in pH brought about by bacterial contamination.

RESULTS

Riboflavin, vitamin B2, is a biocompatible chemical that possesses a redox-active flavin core that is pH dependent. The oxidation peak potential of the adsorbed riboflavin responds linearly to changes in pH with a near-Nernstian behavior of 63 mV/pH unit and is capable of accurately monitoring the pH of an authentic IV infusate.

CONCLUSIONS

The proof of principle is demonstrated with an electrode-printed hub design offering a valuable foundation from which to explore bacterial interactions within the catheter lumen with the potential of providing an early warning of contamination.

Central venous catheter contamination rate in suspected sepsis patients - an observational clinical study

BACKGROUND

More than 160,000 central-line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are estimated for Europe each year leading to about 25,000 deaths. We aimed at characterising the contamination of administration sets in suspected CLABSI cases in the intensive care unit (ICU).

METHODS

In ICU patients (period 02/2017-02/2018) with suspected CLABSI, all sampled central venous catheters (CVCs) were examined in 4 segments (from CVC tip to connected tubing systems) for contamination. A risk factor analysis using binary logistic regression was performed.

RESULTS

52 consecutively sampled CVCs with 1,004 elements were analysed with 45 elements being positive for at least one microorganism (4.48%). There was a significant association with the duration of catheterisation (p=0.038, n=50) with a daily increase of contamination risk by 11.5% (OR 1.115). The mean number of CVC manipulations was 40 within 72 hours (SD: 20.5), with no association with contamination risk (p=0.381). The contamination risk of the CVC segments decreased from proximal to distal. Non-replaceable components of the CVC had a high risk (14 times higher; p=0.01). A significant positive correlation was detected between positive tip cultures and microbial growth in the administration set (r(49)=0.437, p=0.001).

CONCLUSION

Although only a minority of CLABSI-suspect patients had positive blood cultures, the contamination rate of central venous catheters and administration set was high, possibly indicating a relevant under-reporting. The finding of identical species in adjacent segments underlines the role of upward or downward spread of microorganisms within the tubes, therefore aseptic tasks should be emphasized.

Preclinical evaluation of passive disinfection caps with a long-term catheter for the prevention of catheter-related bloodstream infection in pediatric cancer patients

The use of passive disinfection devices (disinfection caps) may be a beneficial part of a maintenance care bundle, aiming at the prevention of catheter-related bloodstream infections in pediatric cancer patients. This preclinical in vitro investigation tested the visual and mechanical integrity of a Broviac™ catheter hub after simulation testing with 122 3M™ CurosTM Stopper Disinfection Caps for Open Female Luers repeatedly attached and removed over 6 months. We found that these catheter hubs were compatible, fully operational, and airtight with use of 3M Curos stopper caps after 6 months of use with 122 caps per catheter hub.

Challenges in reducing the risk of infection when accessing vascular catheters

Injection safety is essential to reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) when accessing vascular catheters. This general review evaluates the contamination of vascular catheter access ports and associated HAIs in acute care settings, focusing on open lumen stopcocks (OLSs) and disinfectable needleless closed connectors (DNCCs). PubMed was searched from January 2000 to February 2021. OLS intraluminal surfaces are frequently contaminated during patient care, increasing the risk of HAIs, and neither an isopropyl alcohol (IPA) pad nor a port-scrub device can reduce contamination effectively. In contrast, DNCCs can be disinfected, with most studies indicating less intraluminal contamination than OLSs and some studies showing decreased HAIs. While the optimal DNCC design to reduce HAIs needs to be determined, DNCCs alone or stopcocks with a DNCC bonded to the injection port should replace routine use of OLSs, with OLSs restricted to use in sterile fields. Compliance with disinfection is essential immediately before use of a DNCC as use of a non-disinfected DNCC can have equivalent or greater risk of HAIs compared with use of an OLS. The recommendations for access port disinfection in selected national and international guidelines vary. When comparing in-vitro studies, clinical studies and published guidelines, consensus is lacking; therefore, additional studies are needed, including large randomized controlled trials. IPA caps disinfect DNCCs passively, eliminate scrubbing and provide a contamination barrier; however, their use in neonates has been questioned. Further study is needed to determine whether IPA caps are more efficacious than scrubbing with disinfectant to decrease HAIs related to use of central venous, peripheral venous and arterial catheters.

Physician and Nurse Research in Multidisciplinary Intensive Care Units

BACKGROUND

Although clinical care is multidisciplinary, intensive care unit research commonly focuses on single-discipline themes. We sought to characterize intensive care unit research conducted by physicians and nurses.

METHODS

One hundred randomly selected reports of clinical studies published in critical care medical and nursing journals were reviewed.

RESULTS

Of the 100 articles reviewed, 50 were published in medical journals and 50 were published in nursing journals. Only 1 medical study (2%) used qualitative methods, compared with 9 nursing studies (18%) (P = .02). The distribution of quantitative study designs differed between medical and nursing journals (P < .001), with medical journals having a predominance of cohort studies (29 articles [58%]). Compared with medical journal articles, nursing journal articles had significantly fewer authors (median [interquartile range], 5 [3-6] vs 8 [6-10]; P < .001) and study participants (94 [51-237] vs 375 [86-4183]; P < .001) and a significantly lower proportion of male study participants (55% [26%-65%] vs 60% [51%-65%]; P = .02). Studies published in medical journals were much more likely than those published in nursing journals to exclusively involve patients as participants (47 [94%] vs 25 [50%]; P < .001). Coauthorship between physicians and nurses was evident in 14 articles (14%), with infrequent inclusion of authors from other health care disciplines.

CONCLUSIONS

Physician research and nurse research differ in several important aspects and tend to occur within silos. Increased interprofessional collaboration is possible and worthwhile.

Leakage of isopropanol from port protectors used in neonatal care-Results from an in vitro study

Background

To decrease contamination of needleless catheter hubs, caps or port protectors impregnated with isopropanol (IPA) have been developed and shown to be superior to other disinfection methods. The safety of the caps has been questioned, as they can be associated with alcohol leakage across the hub membrane.

Objectives

We evaluated the use of IPA caps and the scrub-the-hub method from the safety standpoint of possible alcohol leakage across the hub membrane.

Methods

Circuits imitating an intravenous line were constructed. Circuits with an IPA cap were flushed with sodium chloride after the hub had been exposed to the cap for 1 hour, 24 hours, and 7 days. At the end of each period the fluid was collected and amounts of IPA in it were measured, using gas chromatography. Scrub circuits without IPA caps were also tested and ethanol from these was measured using the same method.

Results

In this in vitro study, IPA was detected in all samples from cap circuits, and ethanol was detected from all scrub circuits. Leakage increased over time in IPA circuits. After 24 hours and 7 days of exposure, the first injection resulted in higher amounts of IPA; thereafter, the levels decreased. The amounts of ethanol measured from the scrub circuits were low.

Conclusions

IPA caps can cause leakage of alcohol across the hub membrane. Leakage increased over time, and a 30 sec drying time was not sufficient to solve the problem. Scrub-the-hub seems safe to use with regard to alcohol leakage.

Management of peripheral venous catheters and implementation of guidelines in Germany: a national survey

BACKGROUND

Due to their frequent use, peripheral venous catheters (PVCs) are of importance in terms of catheter-related infections and their prevention. In 2017, revised national guidelines for the prevention of PVC-related infections were published in Germany.

AIM

To describe PVC handling practices and assess the implementation of national guidelines for the prevention of PVC-related infections in German acute care hospitals, 10 months after their release.

METHODS

An online survey on the management of PVCs in hospital wards was conducted. For this, 1191 acute care hospitals participating in the national surveillance system for healthcare-associated infections in Germany were invited to participate. Each hospital was asked to complete the survey for an intensive care unit (ICU), as well as a medical ward and a surgical ward. Participation in the survey was voluntary.

FINDINGS

In total, 701 hospitals (response rate 59%) participated and provided data on 1449 wards (599 ICUs, 446 medical wards, 404 surgical wards). Approximately 43% of wards reported that they had implemented the new national guidelines where necessary. Structured surveillance for PVC-associated infections was established in only 21% of wards. While 94% of wards reported the inclusion of aspects of PVC handling in their general infection prevention education, questions on the training methods yielded diverse results. Approximately 59% of wards reported that they did not routinely use a combination of alcohol and a remanant disinfectant for skin disinfection before PVC insertion.

CONCLUSION

Generally, PVC management in Germany is well organized. However, potential for improvement was identified, particularly considering surveillance and implementation of selected national guidelines.

Microbial colonization of intravascular catheter connectors in hospitalized patients

BACKGROUND

Central line-associated bloodstream infections may be due to catheter connector colonization and intraluminal migration of pathogens. We assessed the colonization of the split septum catheter connector system, and subsequently the luer lock catheter connector system.

METHODS

This was a prospective, 2 phase, quality improvement study at a tertiary referral center. Each phase of the study was performed over 3 consecutive days in hospitalized patients receiving an active infusion; first with a split septum lever lock connector and second with a luer lock connector and alcohol port protector. The connectors were inoculated onto blood agar plates and incubated. Plates were assessed for microbial growth after 48-72 hours.

RESULTS

In phase I, 98 (41.9%) of 234 split septum connectors yielded microbial growth. In phase II, 56 (23.1%) of 243 luer lock connectors yielded microbial growth. In phase II only, there was a significant increased rate of contamination in peripheral catheters compared with all other catheters, and the rate of contamination on the acute care wards was significantly higher when compared with the intensive care units.

CONCLUSIONS

Bacterial colonization of the lever lock system was unacceptably high among all catheter types and hospital locations. Transition to luer lock catheter connectors and alcohol port protectors decreased the colonization; however, colonization still remained substantial. Causation of colonization cannot be determined with these results.

Optimizing vascular-access device decision-making in the era of midline catheters

This narrative review addresses vascular access device choice from peripheral intravenous catheters through central venous catheters, including the evolving use of midline catheters. The review incorporates best practices, published algorithms, and complications extending beyond CLABSI and phlebitis to assist clinicians in navigating complex vascular access decisions.

Risk factors and microbial profile of central venous catheter related blood stream infection in medical cardiac care units, National Heart Institute, Egypt

INTRODUCTION

Catheter related blood stream infection (CRBSI) is the main complication of central venous catheter (CVC) use. The aim of the study is to improve the safety of patients with central venous catheter in National Heart Institute (NHI) medical cardiac care units.

METHODS

A Prospective cohort study was conducted on one hundred and eleven cardiac patients in (NHI) cardiac care units from August 2017 to February 2018. All patients subjected to central venous catheter (CVC) in cardiac care units, NHI, were included except: 1. Patients with obvious source of infection, 2. Immunocompromised patients, 3. patients having infective endocarditis, 4. patients whose catheter was put outside NHI.

RESULTS

Noncompliance of health care providers to care bundle elements of CVC of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) represents a risk factor for CRBSI occurrence. Coagulase negative staphylococci was the most common isolated organism.

CONCLUSION

Health care providers should adhere care bundle elements recommended by CDC during insertion and handling of CVC. This will in turn decrease CRBSI.

Antisepsis in the handling of vascular access connections

Needleless connectors provide easy access points to the vascular system for the administration of fluids, avoiding the risk of accidental punctures and increasing safety in vascular access manipulation. Non-aseptic manipulation can favor contamination, turning connectors into the penetration route for endoluminal contaminants with the capacity of triggering infectious complications, with serious consequences for the patient. Considering catheter-related bacteremia as a serious and avoidable adverse effect, prevention programs should incorporate measures to combat predisposing factors, such as improved staff training, the safe design of devices, improved disinfection procedures, and optimized antiseptic use. Monitoring adherence to safe practices and reporting results are important to promote understanding of the risks and benefits of decontaminating connections and thus to improve patient safety. safety. This article is part of a supplement entitled "Antisepsis in the critical patient", which is sponsored by Becton Dickinson.