Pre-filled normal saline syringes to reduce totally implantable venous access device-associated bloodstream infection: a single institution pilot study

S Bertoglio; R Rezzo; F D Merlo; N Solari; D Palombo; F Vassallo; S Beltramini; A DeMaria

doi:10.1016/j.jhin.2013.02.008

Pre-filled normal saline syringes to reduce totally implantable venous access device-associated bloodstream infection: a single institution pilot study

J Hosp Infect. 2013 May;84(1):85-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2013.02.008. Epub 2013 Mar 13.

Authors

S Bertoglio¹, R Rezzo, F D Merlo, N Solari, D Palombo, F Vassallo, S Beltramini, A DeMaria

Affiliation

¹ Department of Surgical Sciences (DISC), University of Genova, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, Genoa, Italy. sergio.bertoglio@istge.it

PMID: 23498359
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2013.02.008

Abstract

Flushing totally implantable venous access devices (TIVADs) with manually filled saline syringes may increase contamination and catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI). We used a retrospective cohort study to assess the impact of changing from manually filled syringes to manufactured pre-filled syringes on the frequency of CRBSI in 718 TIVADs. Manually filled syringes were used in 269 patients and pre-filled syringes in 449. The CRBSI rate was 2.7% in the pre-filled syringe group and 6.3% in the manually filled syringe group (P = 0.016). Sex, tumour type and stage, access site and access body side were not independent risk factors for CRBSI.

MeSH terms

Adult
Catheter-Related Infections / microbiology
Catheter-Related Infections / prevention & control*
Catheterization, Central Venous / adverse effects
Equipment Contamination / prevention & control*
Female
Humans
Incidence
Logistic Models
Male
Multivariate Analysis
Neoplasms / microbiology
Neoplasms / therapy
Pilot Projects
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors
Sodium Chloride
Syringes*

Substances

Sodium Chloride