Needleless dispensing pin with 1-way valve does not decrease bacterial contamination of communal-use intravenous fluid bags in simulated clinical scenario.

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.