The Challenge
Placement of a vascular access device increases the risk of bloodstream infection.
Nearly all hospitalized patients have some type of vascular access device inserted to support their treatment and approximately 87 percent of bloodstream infections are associated with the presence of some type of intravascular device.1 The CDC estimates approximately 250,000 incidents of Catheter Related Bloodstream Infections (CRBSI) occur annually in the United States.2 Although attributable mortality due to CRBSIs is not clear, these infections have been associated with higher costs, mortality rates, and number of hospital-days.2,3
Our Solution
The design of your needlefree intravenous (IV) connectors plays a substantial role in your ability to limit hospital-acquired bloodstream infections (HA-BSI).4
Each of our Infusion Therapy products is carefully designed to keep patients and healthcare workers safe by providing a needlefree mechanically and microbiologically closed system for vascular access applications. Our closed needlefree connectors feature pioneering reversed split-septum, straight internal fluid path technology to significantly reduce the ingress and colonization of bacteria. Not only do these devices provide enhanced patient safety through innovative needlefree technology, but they have also been proven to provide an effective microbial barrier against bacteria transfer and contamination.5,6
In a study of the bacteria transfer and biofilm formation properties of needle free connectors, ICU Medical's MicroClave outperformed all connectors tested in terms of bacteria transfer, biofilm formation, and biofilm bacteria formation, proving to provide an effective barrier to bacterial transfer and colonization. In the study, researchers pointed to MicroClave's ability to provide clinicians with an enhanced level of protection from bacteria being transferred from external surfaces into the patient's bloodstream as an important benefit in their fight to eliminate catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs).5
Needle-free Connectors: Split Septum vs. Mechanical Valve…Can this classification model predict infection risk?
By Marcia Ryder, PhD MS RN. APIC 2010 Satellite Symposium, Tuesday, July 13th, 2010. Running time: 1hr. 27min
Vascular Access...Connection Without Infection!
By Marcia Ryder, PhD MS RN, Research Coordinator at the Center for Medical Biofilm Research University of Southern California. Running time: 58min.
