Abstract
This study determines if there are differences in colony forming units (CFU) of bacteria between five different needleless intravenous connectors. CFUs create environments for bloodstream infections with 1 CFU to begin an infection and 15 to develop infection. Intraluminal pathway protection is a most significant way to eliminate 50% bloodstream infections. Five different connectors were evaluated by independent laboratory in vitro regarding ≥15 CFUs, 4 organisms over 4 days. Q-Syte™ had significantly higher mean number days CFUs ≥15 than all other devices, Rymed-5001® having the least (p < .0001). Q-Syte™ and TKO+Clave® had significantly more CFUs ≥15 on one or more days. Nonantimicrobial connectors differ on CFU counts in vitro. CFUs are ranked highest to lowest CFUs as follows: Q-Syte™ TKO™Clave®, MicroCLAVEA®, MaxPlus® Clear, and Rymed-5001®. Best nonantimicrobial connector products for intraluminal protection are Rymed-5001® followed by MaxPlus® Clear. Using the best connector can significantly prevent infections as part of nursing care.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 416-428 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| Journal | Clinical Nursing Research |
| Volume | 19 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2010 |
Keywords
- comparison
- connector
- evaluation
- infection
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Nursing