Alcohol-impregnated port protectors and needleless neutral pressure connectors may help reduce rates of central line-associated bloodstream infections and contaminated blood cultures, according to a study published in the American Journal of Infection Control.
For the study, researchers conducted an observation trial of oncology patients with a central venous catheter. They compared outcomes for patients with alcohol-impregnated port protectors and needless neutral pressure connector to those received regular care.
After the trial period was over, researchers found patients with the intervention saw one CLABSI over 3,005 central line-days, compared to 16 CLABSIs over 6,851 central line-days for control patients. In addition, intervention patients saw a 0.2 percent rate of contaminated blood cultures, compared to 2.5 percent contamination rate for control patients.
For the study, researchers conducted an observation trial of oncology patients with a central venous catheter. They compared outcomes for patients with alcohol-impregnated port protectors and needless neutral pressure connector to those received regular care.
After the trial period was over, researchers found patients with the intervention saw one CLABSI over 3,005 central line-days, compared to 16 CLABSIs over 6,851 central line-days for control patients. In addition, intervention patients saw a 0.2 percent rate of contaminated blood cultures, compared to 2.5 percent contamination rate for control patients.
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