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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.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
|July 15, 2026
Summary
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.
