Biopatch--a new concept in antimicrobial dressings for invasive devices

A randomised controlled trial (RCT) was conducted to assess the reduction in the rate of catheter-related infections associated with the Biopatch dressing (Johnson & Johnson Medical Inc., Arlington, Texas, USA) used for insertion-site management of central venous catheters (CVCs) placed in the intensive care unit. Patients having a CVC placed were randomly assigned to receive either a Biopatch keyhole dressing to the occlusive Opsite IV 3000 (Smith and Nephew Medical Ltd., Hull, UK) (experimental group) or the Opsite IV 3000 alone (control group). There was a very low colonisation rate of CVC tip and skin exit-site swabs in both the experimental group (6 of 17) and the control group (5 of 16). No statistical difference was found between the two groups with regard to CVC or exit-site colonisation. A calculated sample size of 11,000 would be required to statistically demonstrate a 10 per cent reduction in CVC infection rate using the new Biopatch dressing. A much larger RCT would be required to demonstrate the efficacy of this new device.