Reducing the Risk
 
POORLY DESIGNED NEEDLELESS ACCESS DEVICES MAY BE ASSOCIATED WITH A HIGH RATE OF CATHETER RELATED BLOODSTREAM INFECTION
 
 
THE BACKGROUND
Reducing the risk of blood stream infections is a growing concern within the healthcare industry. The first line of protection against blood stream infections is the disinfection process. If mechanical valves are not disinfected properly, then bacteria can set up within the nooks and crannies of the device leading to contamination of the fluid path. You can have gaps around the plunger that harbor bacteria."1
 
THE EVIDENCE
Hub Colonization and subsequent intraluminal progression due to frequent opening and manipulation of intravenous systems is the cause of many catheter related infections.2 Although extraluminal progression of micro-organisms is the most common cause of catheter tip colonization, hub colonization due to frequent opening and manipulation of the intravenous systems is the cause of 29-38% of catheter infections.3,4 Studies have concluded that when a device is properly disinfected before each access there is no increased rate of contamination.5-8 Recent research on CRBSI concluded that near 31% of nurses do not disinfect the needleless valve port prior to accessing the system9. Cosgrove (April 2005) demonstrated using dye that the connectors could not be cleaned.10 Maragakis's(January 2006) theory is that MV devices that have intricate access surfaces are more difficult to disinfect.11
 
THE SOLUTION
Preventing bacterial transmission through the Needleless Access Device is the primary objective of pre-access alcohol swabbing. The solution to this potential infection threat is to utilize a device that by design assures optimal swabibility. The device should be free of nooks, crannies, ridges, and recessed access points. The MaxPlus® needleless access device provides a flat smooth surface for optimum disinfecting. The MaxPlus Clear is free of nooks, crannies, and gaps that can harbor bacteria. Please find more detailed information about these wonderful products and their features here.
 
 
1. Jarvis, William. MD. New Needleless Valves leading to a spike in BSIs Speech at SHEA annual meeting 2005 quote in July 2005 Hospital Infection Control.
2. Bouza E, Munoz P, Lopez-Rodriguez J, Jesus Perez M, Rincon C, Sanchez C, et al. A needleless closed system device (CLAVE) protects from intravascular catheter tip and hub colonization: a prospective randomized study, Journal of Hospital Infection, March 2003; 54, 279-287.
3. Cercenado E, Ena J, Rodriguez-Creixemus M, Romero I, Bouza E. A conservative procedure for the diagnosis of catheter-related infections. Arch Intern Med 1990; 150:1417-1420.
4. Diener JR, Coutinho MS, Zoccoli CM. Central venous catheter-related infections in critically ill patients. Rev Assoc Med Bras 1996; 42:205-214.
5. Brown JD, Moss HA, Elliott TS. The potential for catheter microbial contamination from a needleless connector. J Hosp Infect 1997; 36:181-189.
6. Ardurino MJ, Bland LA, DAnzig LE, McAllister SK, Aguero SM. Microbiologic evaluation of needleless and needle-access devices. AM J Infect Control 1997; 25: 377-380.
7. Luebke MA, Arduino MJ, Duda DL, et al. Comparison of the microbial barrier properties of a needleless and a conventional needle-based intravenous access system. AM J Infect Control 1998; 26: 437-441
8. Seymour VM, Dhallu TS, Moss HA, Tebbs SE, Elliot TS. A prospective clinical study to investigate the microbial contamination of a needleless connector. J Hosp Infect 2000; 45:165-168.
9. Karchmer T, Cook E, Palavecino E, Ohl C, Muto C, Chung H, et al. Needleless valve ports may be associated with a high rate of catheter-related bloodstream infection. Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), April 2005; 307.
10. Cosgrove S, Bradley K, McKee C, Mackie K, Miller M, Perl T. Increase in catheter-related bloodstream infections (CR-BSI) in pediatric intensive care units temporally associated with a change in needleless intravenous port. Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), April 2005; 26.
11. Maragakis, L. MD, et al. Increased Catheter-Related Blood Stream Infection Rates After the Introduction of a New Mechanical Valve Intravenous Access Port. Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, January 2006. Vol. 27, No.1
   
 
 
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The MaxPlus Clear Connector
MaxPlus is the fastest growing needleless connector on the market today. As evidence to its success the MaxPlus is being utilized in a number of facilities who in 2006 were awarded Honor Roll status by the U.S. News and World Report as 'America's Best Hospitals." The nation's top facilities are using the MaxPlus for two main reasons; it helps prevent Catheter Related Blood Stream infections (CRBSIs) and catheter line occlusions. Reducing these two complications improves patient outcomes.
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