title: Resistance to the migration of microorganisms of a needle-free disinfectable connector.
abstract: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a disinfectable needle-free connector in reducing the pass of micro-organisms to the lumen of the catheter. A prospective, controlled, experimental trial was performed in which a laboratory model simulated the insertion of a peripheral venous catheter. Catheters inserted in sterile conditions in a hemoculture bottle were closed with the disinfectable needle-free connector (study group) or with a cap (control group). After 9 days of contamination and manipulation of the connector and cap external surfaces, 100% of bottles in the control group were contaminated whereas 60% remained sterile in the study group. The disinfectable needle-free connector showed more resistance to the pass of microorganisms than the conventional cap according to our experimental model.
authors.affiliation: Intensive Care Unit, Hospital de Mataró, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Juan C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Yébenes
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Martnez
authors.forename: Mateu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Serra-Prat
authors.forename: Goretti
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sauca
authors.forename: Josep A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Capdevila
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Balanzó
authors.forename: Mercedes
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Palomar
mesh_terms: D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000382:microbiology*; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies