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Disinfectant caps in vitro effectiveness
Sara Giordana Rimoldi1, Leyla La Cava2, Chiara Palladino3
1Microbiology, Virology and Bioemergency Unit, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy.
Insights
Disinfectant caps (DCs) effectively prevent catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) by maintaining catheter lumen sterility. Both tested brands showed comparable efficacy, supporting their routine use in healthcare settings.
Area of Science:
- Infection Control
- Medical Device Efficacy
- Antimicrobial Technology
Background:
- Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) pose significant risks to hospitalized patients.
- Disinfectant caps (DCs) are increasingly recognized for their potential to reduce CRBSI rates.
- Evaluating the efficacy of different DC manufacturers is crucial for infection prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the in-vitro antiseptic efficacy of disinfectant caps (DCs) from two manufacturers.
- To compare the effectiveness of these DCs under baseline and stress conditions.
- To determine if significant differences exist between the two tested DC products.
Main Methods:
- An in-vitro model was used to test thirteen different microorganisms.
- Disinfectant effectiveness was evaluated with DCs on needle-free connectors (NFCs) and directly on catheter hubs.
- Bacterial growth was assessed after incubation periods of 90 and 180 minutes.
Main Results:
- Both DC manufacturers demonstrated effectiveness in baseline tests across fourteen assays.
- Under stress conditions, significant bacterial load (Serratia marcescens) was observed only with one product (ICU Medical™) at specific time points.
- Low bacterial loads for MDR Acinetobacter baumannii were noted for the other product (BD PureHub™).
Conclusions:
- Results align with existing data for BD PureHub™ and provide new insights for ICU Medical™.
- No significant difference in effectiveness was found between the two DC brands tested.
- The routine use of DCs with NFCs is supported to reduce CRBSI incidence as part of comprehensive infection control bundles.
Background:
Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality among hospitalized patients. Different studies suggest that the use of disinfectant caps (DCs) significantly reduces the rate of CRBSIs. The first purpose of this study is to analyze, through an in-vitro-model, the antiseptic effect of DCs produced by two manufacturers; the second aim is to assess potential differences in terms of effectiveness between the two manufacturers' products.
Methods:
A know concentration of thirteen different microorganisms was incubated with the sponge drenched in antimicrobial fluid inside DCs and cultured through several assays to investigate the disinfectant effectiveness of some commercially available caps. Disinfectant properties were evaluated under two different conditions: baseline (DCs placed on the needle-free connectors (NFCs) and stress test (DCs directly applied to the catheter hub).
Results:
Both manufacturers overcame the basal tests (fourteen different assays). Regarding stress tests: the only significant bacterial load was found for Serratia marcescens (104 CFU/mL in ICU Medical™), both at 90 and 180 minutes after incubation; due to the low load, MDR Acinetobacter baumannii was not considered significant (<103 CFU/mL in BD PureHub™).
Conclusions:
Our results confirm what was reported in BD PureHub™ datasheet and add data not previously shown by ICU Medical™. Moreover, no difference was observed between the two manufacturers products: the use of both DCs on NFCs was able to reclaim the catheter lumen. These findings support the routine use of DCs with NFCs, as part of a structured bundle of interventions, to reduce the incidence of CRBSIs.
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