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Bacterial contamination of 'Venflon' intravenous cannulae with valved injection sideport
Abstract:
Eighty-eight intravenous cannulae with valved injection sideports were examined bacteriologically after approximately three days (64-80 h) normal clinical use. Three methods of culture of the cannulae were used, which distinguished contamination of the outer and inner surfaces as well as detecting bacteria remaining on the inner cannula surface following a washing procedure of the lumen. Of the cannulae sampled, 40.9 per cent were found to be contaminated on their inner surfaces and no correlation was obtained between use of the sideport and contamination of the cannulae at this site. It was concluded that contamination of a cannula lumen did not necessarily result in bacteraemia.
Insights
Inner cannula contamination was found in 40.9% of intravenous cannulae after three days of use. This study suggests that inner cannula contamination does not always lead to bloodstream infections (bacteraemia).
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infection Prevention and Control
- Clinical Practice
Background:
- Intravenous cannulae are essential medical devices for drug administration and fluid therapy.
- Cannula-associated bloodstream infections (CABSI) are a significant concern in healthcare settings.
- Understanding microbial contamination pathways is crucial for preventing infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To bacteriologically assess the contamination of intravenous cannulae after normal clinical use.
- To investigate the correlation between sideport usage and cannula contamination.
- To determine if inner cannula contamination inevitably leads to bacteraemia.
Main Methods:
- Eighty-eight intravenous cannulae with valved injection sideports were cultured after 64-80 hours of use.
- Three culture methods were employed to differentiate outer and inner surface contamination.
- Bacteria on the inner cannula surface post-lumen washing were also detected.
Main Results:
- 40.9% of the cannulae exhibited inner surface contamination.
- No significant correlation was found between sideport use and contamination at that specific site.
- Bacterial presence on the inner cannula surface was detected.
Conclusions:
- Inner cannula contamination is prevalent after short-term clinical use.
- Sideport manipulation does not appear to be a primary driver of cannula contamination.
- Inner cannula lumen contamination does not necessarily translate to bacteraemia in patients.