Disinfection of needleless connectors for catheters in one second using a hand-held UV device

The standard of care for disinfecting needleless connectors (NCs) of central venous catheters includes alcohol-containing caps or up to a 15-second scrub with alcohol or chlorhexidine. Due to the clinical impact and high cost of treating Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI), reducing the incidence of CLABSI is a priority for public health and of the Centers for Disease Control. Alcohol-containing caps have been demonstrated to disinfect external NC surfaces, but not the internal surface. Ultraviolet light (UV-C) is a strategy for disinfection of NC internal and external surfaces.

Four clinically relevant bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and Candida albicans were inoculated on NCs. Disinfection efficacy was measured after exposure to one second of 285 nm UV-C light at 48 mW/cm² in a proprietary handheld device and UV-C transparent NC or standard of care. Disinfection of internal and external surfaces of NC inoculated with S aureus using alcohol caps, and UV-C was also compared.

A 4-log reduction in colony forming units (CFUs) on the interior and exterior surfaces of the UV-transparent NC of clinically relevant pathogens was observed with UV-C light at this power for 1 second.

We demonstrated the efficacy of UV-C for the disinfection of NCs in one second using the UV-C device in benchtop studies.

This device holds promise for reducing CLABSI, and clinical studies are planned.