Needlestick Injuries, Short Peripheral Catheters, and Health Care Worker Risks

Positive and Neutral Needleless Connectors: A Comparative Study of Central-line Associated Bloodstream Infection, Occlusion, and Bacterial Contamination of the Connector Lumen

A pragmatic, multiphase prospective quality improvement initiative was performed to determine whether a positive displacement connector (PD) causes reduction of central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI), occlusion, and catheter hub colonization when compared with a neutral displacement connector with alcohol disinfecting cap (AC). Patients with an active central vascular access device (CVAD) were enrolled March 2018 to February 2019 (P2) and compared to the prior year (P1). Two hospitals were randomized to use PD without AC (Hospital A) and with AC (Hospital B). Two hospitals utilized a neutral displacement connector with AC (Hospitals C and D). CVADs were monitored for CLABSI, occlusion, and bacterial contamination during P2. Of the 2454 lines in the study, 1049 were cultured. CLABSI decreased in all groups between P1 and P2: Hospital A, 13 (1.1%) to 2 (0.2%); Hospital B, 2 (0.3%) to 0; and Hospitals C and D, 5 (0.5%) to 1 (0.1%). CLABSI reduction was equivalent between P1 and P2 with and without AC, at around 86%. The rate of occlusion per lumen was 14.4%, 12.1%, and 8.5% for Hospitals A, B and C, D, respectively. Hospitals using PD had a higher rate of occlusion than those that did not (P = .003). Lumen contamination with pathogens was 1.5% for Hospitals A and B and 2.1% for Hospitals C and D (P = .38). The rate of CLABSI was reduced with both connectors, and PD reduced infections with and without the use of AC. Both connector types had low-level catheter hub colonization with significant bacteria. The lowest rates of occlusion were found in the group using neutral displacement connectors.

Addition of cyanoacrylate adhesive improves the strength of catheter securement and integrity of transparent dressing: Results from an in vitro test model

INTRODUCTION

Intravenous catheters present complications to patients, such as dislodgment, pistoning, micromovement, and infection. Despite the use of transparent dressings, a significant rate of I.V. catheter complications still arise. This article is to provide a scientific and technological perspective on how bonding a transparent dressing to a substrate using 2-octyl cyanoacrylate and n-butyl cyanoacrylate (OBCA) via multiple methods can significantly enhance the adhesion strength of the transparent dressing product, which subsequently increases the securement strength of the catheter.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using porcine skin, an adhesive formula made of a mixture of OBCA was applied to both the I.V. catheter and transparent dressing to evaluate the adhesion strength and securement strength in vitro.

RESULTS

The studies show that using OBCA to bond the transparent dressing to the substrate significantly improved the adhesion strength by up to 8 times, and catheter securement by up to 7.4 times stronger than using a transparent dressing alone.

CONCLUSION

It was determined that using OBCA to bond the transparent dressing to the substrate results in strengthening the adhesion strength of the transparent dressing, which could potentially reduce dressing complications. By using OBCA to affix the transparent dressing to the substrate catheter securement strength was also significantly increased which can potentially reduce catheter dislodgment, migration, and micromovement.

Cross-sectional survey on occupational needle stick injuries amongst prehospital emergency medical service personnel in Johannesburg

INTRODUCTION

Prehospital personnel are exposed to challenging situations that place them at increased risk of sustaining a needle stick injury (NSI). Blood borne infections such as HIV and Hepatitis B or C may be transmitted from a NSI. Sub-Saharan Africa has the largest number of people living with HIV globally. There is no data pertaining to NSI among Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel in South Africa. This study aimed to investigate the cumulative incidence, knowledge, attitudes and practices pertaining to NSIs amongst a select group of prehospital personnel in Johannesburg.

METHODS

This was a prospective, questionnaire based, cross-sectional survey of personnel employed at three EMS service providers in Johannesburg.

RESULTS

Of the 240 subjects that participated in the study, there was a total of 93 NSIs amongst 63 (26.3%) subjects. Of these, 41 (65.1%) had sustained one previous NSI, 16 (25.4%) had two NSIs, 5 (7.9%) had three NSIs and one (1.6%) had five NSIs. Almost two-thirds (n = 60; 64.5%) of NSIs were sustained during intravenous line insertion. Most of the study subjects were male (n = 145, 60.4%), between the age of 25-29 years (n = 67, 27.9%), had a BLS qualification as the highest level of training (n = 89, 37.1%), had >10 years of EMS experience (n = 69; 28.8%) and were up to date with their Hepatitis B vaccination at the time of the study. HIV post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) was initiated in 82 (88.2%) out of the 93 NSI incidents. However, the recommended 28-day course of therapy was only completed in 68 (82.9%) out of the 82 cases where PEP was initiated.

CONCLUSION

Prehospital personnel are at risk of sustaining a NSI. There is a need to promote awareness with regards to the risks, preventive measures, awareness of PEP protocols and the timely initiation and completion of HIV PEP amongst EMS personnel in Johannesburg.

An innovative cyanoacrylate device developed to improve the current standard of care for intravascular catheter securement

INTRODUCTION

Over one billion intravascular devices are used worldwide, annually. Due to the associated complications with these devices, the development of a reliable yet cost-effective securement technique is extremely important. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the strength of a novel catheter securement cyanoacrylate for securing peripheral venous catheters, central venous catheters, peripherally inserted central catheters, and all other intravascular catheter types.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An unprecedented in vitro method was performed to quantify and compare the strength of a novel cyanoacrylate product when securing intravascular catheters inserted into prepared porcine skin. In vivo, canine subjects were used to implant various types of catheters. These catheters were secured with a novel catheter securement cyanoacrylate to test the strength and durability while undergoing simulated clinical stresses.

RESULTS

In vitro, the catheter securement cyanoacrylate demonstrated superior strength over conventional catheter securement methods as well as other known cyanoacrylates. The catheter securement cyanoacrylate demonstrated the ability to maintain superior strength for up to 7 days. In vivo, the catheter securement cyanoacrylate demonstrated the ability to withstand five weight tugs per hour for a 3-h duration, alone, while securing three types of catheters in canine subjects.

CONCLUSION

This is one of the first studies to provide quantitative data to support the use of cyanoacrylate for intravascular catheter securement. The results from this research suggest that the novel catheter securement cyanoacrylate can be a simple and cost-effective catheter securement device that can improve the current health care protocol for intravascular catheterization.

Improving Vascular Access Outcomes and Enhancing Practice

With most hospitalized patients requiring peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs), PIVC-related process improvement may substantially affect the health, safety, and satisfaction of patients and health care workers, in addition to reducing costs. This study examined PIVC practice-related metrics before and after a comprehensive process improvement program, which included a change to closed catheter technology. Data were obtained from observations, clinician interviews, and patient records. Metrics included assessment of risk, especially blood exposure and contamination; measurement of insertion efficiency; and quantification of PIVC failure. A significant improvement in most metrics was achieved after the process improvement program.

Quantitative assessment of reflux in commercially available needle-free IV connectors

INTRODUCTION

Blood reflux is caused by changes in pressure within intravascular catheters upon connection or disconnection of a syringe or intravenous tubing from a needle-free connector (NFC). Changes in pressure, differing with each brand of NFC, may result in fluid movement and blood reflux that can contribute to intraluminal catheter occlusions and increase the potential for central-line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI).

METHODS

In this study, 14 NFC brands representing each of the four market-categories of NFCs were selected for evaluation of fluid movement occurring during connection and disconnection of a syringe. Study objectives were to 1) theoretically estimate amount of blood reflux volume in microliters (μL) permitted by each NFC based on exact component measurements, and 2) experimentally measure NFC volume of fluid movement for disconnection reflux of negative, neutral and anti-reflux NFC and fluid movement for connection reflux of positive displacement NFC.

RESULTS

The results demonstrated fluid movement/reflux volumes of 9.73 μL to 50.34 μL for negative displacement, 3.60 μL to 10.80 μL for neutral displacement, and 0.02 μL to 1.73 μL for pressure-activated anti-reflux NFC. Separate experiment was performed measuring connection reflux of 18.23 μL to 38.83 μL for positive displacement NFC connectors.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed significant differences in reflux volumes for fluid displacement based on NFC design. While more research is needed on effects of blood reflux in catheters and NFCs, results highlight the need to consider NFCs based on performance of individual connector designs, rather than manufacturer designation of positive, negative and neutral marketing categories for NFCs without anti-reflux mechanisms.

Adaptive Kinematic Control of a Robotic Venipuncture Device Based on Stereo Vision, Ultrasound, and Force Guidance

Robotic systems have slowly entered the realm of modern medicine; however, outside the operating room, medical robotics has yet to be translated to more routine interventions such as blood sampling or intravenous fluid delivery. In this paper, we present a medical robot that safely and rapidly cannulates peripheral blood vessels-a procedure commonly known as venipuncture. The device uses near-infrared and ultrasound imaging to scan and select suitable injection sites, and a 9-DOF robot to insert the needle into the center of the vessel based on image and force guidance. We first present the system design and visual servoing scheme of the latest generation robot, and then evaluate the performance of the device through workspace simulations and free-space positioning tests. Finally, we perform a series of motion tracking experiments using stereo vision, ultrasound, and force sensing to guide the position and orientation of the needle tip. Positioning experiments indicate sub-millimeter accuracy and repeatability over the operating workspace of the system, while tracking studies demonstrate real-time needle servoing in response to moving targets. Lastly, robotic phantom cannulations demonstrate the use of multiple system states to confirm that the needle has reached the center of the vessel.

Needle Stick Injuries and their Related Safety Measures among Nurses in a University Hospital, Shiraz, Iran

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors related to needle stick injuries (NSIs) and to assess related safety measures among a sample of Iranian nurses.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, a random sample of 168 registered active nurses was selected from different wards of one of the hospitals of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (SUMS). Data were collected by an anonymous questionnaire and a checklist based observational method among the 168 registered active nurses.

RESULTS

The prevalence of NSIs in the total of work experience and the last year was 76% and 54%, respectively. Hollow-bore needles were the most common devices involved in the injuries (85.5%). The majority of NSIs occurred in the morning shift (57.8%) and the most common activity leading to NSIs was recapping needles (41.4%). The rate of underreporting NSIs was 60.2% and the major reasons for not reporting the NSIs were heavy clinical schedule (46.7%) and perception of low risk of infection (37.7%). A statistically significant relationship was found between the occurrence of NSIs and sex, hours worked/week, and frequency of shifts/month.

CONCLUSION

The study showed a high prevalence of NSIs among nurses. Supportive measures such as improving injection practices, modification of working schedule, planning training programs targeted at using personal protective equipment, and providing an adequate number of safety facilities such as puncture resistant disposal containers and engineered safe devices are essential for the effective prevention of NSI incidents among the studied nurses.