Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2026
A Protocol to Set Up Needle-Free Connector with Positive Displacement on Central Venous Catheter in Intensive Care Unit
Published on: July 13, 2019
In vitro comparisons of two antimicrobial intravenous connectors
Cynthia Chernecky1, Jennifer Waller
1Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, USA. cchernecky@mail.mcg.edu
Abstract:
Fifty percent of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CR-BSI) caused by organism migration through the fluid pathway (intraluminal) via a connector can be colonized within 24 hr. With a mean hospital stay of 4.8 days, intraluminal contamination is a primary source of CR-BSI. Purpose of this research was to determine which antimicrobial needleless connector produced the least bacterial colony-forming units (CFUs) in vitro and to compare these CFUs to the leading nonantimicrobial connector shown in previous research to have the lowest CFUs. Independent laboratory tested 2 antimicrobial (Baxter V-Link™, RyMed-7001 Nano(®)) and 1 nonantimicrobial (RyMed-5001) connector, 20 connectors each, 3 controls, each of 4 days, 4 organisms, under the same laboratory conditions. Baxter V-Link™ produced 2.0 to 8.8 times more bacteria than the RYM-5001( ®) and RYM-7001(®) connectors, regardless of bacteria type. The antimicrobial connector with the most and consistent bacteria (13, 675 CFUs) over 4 days was the V-Link™ and the connector with no consistent bacteria was the RyMed-7001(®). Nurses and researchers must include technological design, connector types, and methods of coating/ impregnating connectors as factors in evaluation.
Insights
Antimicrobial needleless connectors can harbor bacteria, increasing infection risk. The RyMed-7001(®) demonstrated the lowest bacterial colonization, unlike the Baxter V-Link™, highlighting the importance of connector design in preventing catheter-related bloodstream infections (CR-BSI).
Area of Science:
- Infection Control
- Medical Device Technology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CR-BSI) are a significant healthcare concern, with intraluminal contamination being a primary source.
- Organism migration through the fluid pathway of needleless connectors can lead to CR-BSI within 24 hours.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate and compare the in vitro bacterial colonization of different needleless connectors.
- To determine which antimicrobial needleless connector exhibited the least bacterial colony-forming units (CFUs).
- To compare antimicrobial connector performance against a leading nonantimicrobial connector.
Main Methods:
- An independent laboratory conducted in vitro testing on two antimicrobial (Baxter V-Link™, RyMed-7001 Nano(®)) and one nonantimicrobial (RyMed-5001) connector.
- Twenty connectors of each type were tested under identical laboratory conditions over four days, using four different organisms and three controls.
Main Results:
- The Baxter V-Link™ consistently produced 2.0 to 8.8 times more bacteria than both the RyMed-5001(®) and RyMed-7001(®) connectors.
- The RyMed-7001(®) demonstrated no consistent bacterial presence, while the Baxter V-Link™ showed the highest and most consistent bacterial counts (13,675 CFUs) over the study period.
Conclusions:
- Connector design, including technological features and antimicrobial coating methods, significantly impacts bacterial colonization.
- Healthcare professionals and researchers should consider these factors when selecting and evaluating needleless connectors to mitigate CR-BSI risks.
