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Evaluation of sterilization using the MEH200® (cotton pack) in vascular access puncture
Yuka Ueda1, Kenji Tsuchida1, Daigo Okada1
1Department of Kidney Disease, Kawashima Hospital, Tokushima - Japan.
Background:
In recent years, chlorhexidine-alcohol has been attracting increasing attention for its role in skin antisepsis. There have been few reports on the infection frequency associated with vascular access and no reports on the infection frequency associated with antiseptics.
Aims:
We investigated skin disinfection during vascular access puncture in patients on chronic hemodialysis (HD).
Methods:
We analyzed patients on chronic HD with arteriovenous fistula (AVF) and arteriovenous graft (AVG) between January 2006 and December 2010.
Results:
The MEH200® (cotton pack including alcohol and chlorhexidine gluconate) was used in 97% of patients. A total of 1130 patients were analyzed, including 911 with AVF and 219 with AVG. Of these, seven with AVF had an infection attributed to the insertion site, which represented a rate of 0.008% of patients per year. Twenty patients with AVG had an infection attributed to the insertion site, which represented a rate of 9.1% of patients per year. The frequency was not higher than that previously reported.
Conclusions:
In HD patients, the MEH200® may be effective for the prevention of bacteremia.
Insights
Chlorhexidine-alcohol antiseptic (MEH200®) use in hemodialysis (HD) patients showed low infection rates for arteriovenous fistula (AVF) and arteriovenous graft (AVG) vascular access. This antiseptic may effectively prevent bacteremia in HD patients.
Area of Science:
- Infection control
- Vascular access procedures
- Antiseptic efficacy
Background:
- Chlorhexidine-alcohol is increasingly recognized for skin antisepsis.
- Limited data exists on infection rates linked to vascular access and antiseptics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate skin disinfection practices during vascular access puncture in chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients.
- To assess the infection frequency associated with MEH200® antiseptic use.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of chronic HD patients with arteriovenous fistula (AVF) and arteriovenous graft (AVG) from January 2006 to December 2010.
- MEH200® (alcohol and chlorhexidine gluconate cotton pack) was used for skin antisepsis in 97% of analyzed patients.
- Infection rates at insertion sites were recorded for AVF and AVG.
Main Results:
- 1130 patients were analyzed (911 AVF, 219 AVG).
- AVF infections: 7 cases (0.008% per year).
- AVG infections: 20 cases (9.1% per year), not exceeding previously reported frequencies.
Conclusions:
- MEH200® demonstrates potential effectiveness in preventing bacteremia in hemodialysis patients.
- The observed infection rates suggest the antiseptic is safe and effective for vascular access.
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