Researchers sought to find the best method for vascular catheter connector valve disinfection and found a five-second scrub with 70 percent isopropyl alcohol may be best, according to a study published in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology.
In the clinical setting, valves were cultured by pressing the connector diaphragm to an agar plate. Each valve was disinfected by scrubbing the diaphragm with a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol pledget for zero, five, 10, 15 or 30 seconds both culturing. In the laboratory setting, 150 unused sterile connectors were inoculated with bacteria, disinfected with a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol pledget for zero, five, 10, 15 or 30 seconds and then sampled by pressing the diaphragm to an agar plate.
Results showed two-thirds of 363 valves in the clinical setting that were not disinfected showed bacterial contamination. However, only one of 71 showed microbial growth after five-second disinfection with an alcohol pledget. In the laboratory, at the 103 and 105 inoculum, all connector valves yielded sterile cultures when scrubbed for five or more seconds.
Researchers concluded a five-second scrub of 70 percent isopropyl alcohol may be a best practice for disinfection of vascular catheter connector valve.
In the clinical setting, valves were cultured by pressing the connector diaphragm to an agar plate. Each valve was disinfected by scrubbing the diaphragm with a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol pledget for zero, five, 10, 15 or 30 seconds both culturing. In the laboratory setting, 150 unused sterile connectors were inoculated with bacteria, disinfected with a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol pledget for zero, five, 10, 15 or 30 seconds and then sampled by pressing the diaphragm to an agar plate.
Results showed two-thirds of 363 valves in the clinical setting that were not disinfected showed bacterial contamination. However, only one of 71 showed microbial growth after five-second disinfection with an alcohol pledget. In the laboratory, at the 103 and 105 inoculum, all connector valves yielded sterile cultures when scrubbed for five or more seconds.
Researchers concluded a five-second scrub of 70 percent isopropyl alcohol may be a best practice for disinfection of vascular catheter connector valve.
Related Articles on Disinfection:
White Paper Discusses Reusable Medical Device Cleaning Validation, Testing Requirements
Steam Vapor May Be Effective Means for Environmental Disinfection
Study: Few Pediatric Healthcare Providers Disinfect Stethoscopes After Every Use