Fluid dispersal from safety cannulas: an in vitro comparative test.
We report a comparative laboratory study between 2 peripheral intravenous catheters equipped with a passive fully automatic safety mechanism to assess generation of blood droplets during withdrawal. One presented no fluid droplets, whereas the other presented droplets in 48% and 60% for the best and worst case, with analysis of variance showing positive effects on the number of droplets generated (P < .001). Safety devices can introduce hazards if health care workers are at risk from blood splatter.
International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium, Department of Infectious Diseases, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Electronic address: victor_rosenthal@inicc.org.
Victor D
VD
Rosenthal
Princess of Wales Hospital, Department of Infectious Diseases, Bridgend, South Wales, United Kingdom.
Gavin
G
Hughes
D001826:Body Fluids; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000295:instrumentation*; D057785:Catheters; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006801:Humans; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011482:Protective Devices; D018570:Risk Assessment
Blood splatter; Infection transmission; Peripheral intravenous catheters; Safety devices