Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 21, 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
A successful approach to reducing bloodstream infections based on a disinfection device for intravenous needleless
Claire Stango1, Debra Runyan, John Stern
1Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Claire Stango, RN, CIC, is an infection preventionist at Pennsylvania Hospital, a 520-bed, acute care institution in Philadelphia, which is part of the University of Pennsylvania Health System. Debra Runyan, BS, MT (ASCP), CIC, is the director of the Infection Prevention Department at Pennsylvania Hospital. John Stern, MD, is chief of Pennsylvania Hospital's Division of Infectious Diseases. Ida Macri, BSN, RN, CIC, is an infection preventionist at Pennsylvania Hospital. Maria Vacca, BSN, RN, CIC, PCCN, is an infection preventionist at Pennsylvania Hospital.
Abstract:
When central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) spiked in an oncology unit of an acute care hospital in Philadelphia from October 2009 to March 2010, noncompliance with intravenous needleless connector disinfection was suspected as a factor. The hospital implemented a disinfection cap, a device designed to address compliance/variance issues with connector disinfection protocols. However, the incidence of CLABSIs increased again in 1 unit, apparently as the result of poor compliance with cap use. The hospital addressed the problem with multiple measures, after which the incidence of CLABSIs again continued to decline. Overall, 50% fewer CLABSIs occurred in the first 21 months after cap implementation. Potential net financial savings from cap use were calculated to be $464,440 a year.
Related Concept Videos
Cleaning, Sterilization, and Disinfection
Cleaning
The cleaning process usually involves using water with detergents or enzymatic cleaner and removing foreign material from objects and surfaces, including organic material such as body fluids or inorganic material like soil. Cleaning is performed before high-level disinfection and sterilization because foreign materials on the cover of the devices interfere with process...
Hand hygiene
Hand washing...
Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
Methods of Sterilization II: Chemical Methods
Using chemical sterilization rather than heat to clean out equipment is recommended. It eradicates and removes all bacteria,...
Hemodialysis I: Introduction
Methods of Sterilization I: Physical Methods
Steam sterilization uses non-toxic, low-cost moist heat in the form of saturated steam under pressure, which is fast, microbicidal, and sporicidal, and quickly warms and penetrates fabrics. Autoclaves, or steam sterilizers, expose each item to direct steam contact for a predetermined time at the necessary...

