Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 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
Needleless dispensing pin with 1-way valve does not decrease bacterial contamination of communal-use intravenous
Anthony R Barillo1, Danielle R Dugat1, Akilesh Ramachandran2
11Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK.
Objective:
To determine whether using a needleless dispensing pin (test port) with a 1-way valve decreases bacterial contamination of communal-use IV fluid bags in a simulated clinical scenario.
Methods:
30 paired sets of IV fluid bags (0.9% NaCl, 1,000 mL) were hung in a common hospital location (anesthesia induction). Each set contained a control bag that was sampled via its native puncture port and a test bag sampled via the 1-way valved port. Fluid samples (3 mL) were removed 3 times daily for 10 consecutive days via respective bag ports. On days 0, 2, 4, 7, and 10, duplicate port surface swabs and 50-mL fluid samples were submitted for bacterial culture.
Results:
Mean total CFU (port + fluid) was not significantly different between groups (control = 0.0955 CFU; test = 0.0897 CFU). Mean port CFU (control = 0.07 CFU; test = 0.1567 CFU) and mean fluid CFU (control = 0.1209 CFU; test = 0.0028 CFU) were not significantly different between groups. Probability of contamination was not different between control and test groups. Forty-nine of 600 sample points (8.17%) were contaminated. The most common isolates were Staphylococcus spp (n = 24) and Micrococcus luteus (15).
Conclusions:
Results indicated no significant reduction in contamination of the port or fluid contents when the test port was used compared with the native puncture port.
Clinical Relevance:
Users should not rely on the test port to reduce bacterial contamination of communal-use fluid bags.
Insights
A needleless dispensing pin (test port) did not significantly reduce bacterial contamination in communal-use IV fluid bags. Healthcare professionals should not rely on this device to prevent contamination.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare-associated infections
- Microbiology
- Clinical Practice
Background:
- Bacterial contamination of intravenous (IV) fluid bags poses a risk in healthcare settings.
- Needleless systems are increasingly adopted to reduce needlestick injuries and potential contamination routes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of a needleless dispensing pin with a 1-way valve in preventing bacterial contamination of communal-use IV fluid bags.
- To compare contamination rates between standard IV fluid bag ports and those utilizing the test port.
Main Methods:
- A simulated clinical scenario involved 30 paired IV fluid bags (0.9% NaCl, 1,000 mL).
- Control bags were sampled via native ports, while test bags used a 1-way valved test port.
- Fluid and port samples were collected over 10 days for bacterial culture.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in mean total colony-forming units (CFU) was observed between the test port and control groups.
- Bacterial contamination of fluid and port surfaces did not differ significantly between the two sampling methods.
- The overall contamination rate was 8.17%, with Staphylococcus spp. and Micrococcus luteus being the most common isolates.
Conclusions:
- The needleless dispensing pin with a 1-way valve did not demonstrate a significant reduction in bacterial contamination of IV fluid bags.
- Findings suggest that the test port does not offer a protective advantage against microbial contamination compared to standard ports.
