Antisepsis in the handling of vascular access connections

Needleless connectors provide easy access points to the vascular system for the administration of fluids, avoiding the risk of accidental punctures and increasing safety in vascular access manipulation. Non-aseptic manipulation can favor contamination, turning connectors into the penetration route for endoluminal contaminants with the capacity of triggering infectious complications, with serious consequences for the patient. Considering catheter-related bacteremia as a serious and avoidable adverse effect, prevention programs should incorporate measures to combat predisposing factors, such as improved staff training, the safe design of devices, improved disinfection procedures, and optimized antiseptic use. Monitoring adherence to safe practices and reporting results are important to promote understanding of the risks and benefits of decontaminating connections and thus to improve patient safety. safety. This article is part of a supplement entitled "Antisepsis in the critical patient", which is sponsored by Becton Dickinson.