1. Needleless Connectors Article by William Jarvis, M.D.The article in the journal Infection Control Today (ICT) describes safety features that needleless c...

1. Chernecky CANS 2010 Poster

1. SHEA 2010 Poster-Comparison of 5 Needleless I.V. Connectors of 4 Microorganism CFU Counts

1. Cancer Nursing Research, Feb. 2011 - Silver Connectors May Cause CRBSI

Clinical Updates

1. 02.09.11Chernecky CANS 2010 Poster
2. 12.15.09HA-BSI Associated with Negative or Positive Pressure Displacement Mechancial ValvesJarvis, et al. CID December 2009. "Furthermore, our data suggest that the SHEA-IDSA recommendations to not routinely use positive-pressure MV-NCs without extensive evaluation should be expanded to include negative-pressure MV-NCs, as well."
3. 09.01.0833 Months at Zero - 2008 IHI PosterCatheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) are common, costly, and potentially lethal. (Mermel 2000) According to the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (NNIS) system of the Centers for Disease control and prevention (CDC), the median rate of catheter-related bloodstream infection in ICUs of all types of catheters ranges from 1.8 to 5.2 per 1000 catheter days. The average cost of treating a CRBSI ranges from $25,000 to $45,000 per occurrence.(O’Grady 2002, NNIS2004) The major identified causes of CRBSI are bacterial contamination, migration of the catheter and catheter wall adhesion with subsequent biofilm development occurring during colonization of both the extraluminal catheter tract and intralumninal fluid pathway. (Ryder 2005) VAD selection, insertion site selection, surface disinfection (skin and septum), insertion technique, CVC care and maintenance, and connector design are critical to the prevention of bacterial contamination and colonization.
4. 06.01.0830 Months at Zero - 2008 APIC PosterSince the mid 1980'S Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters (PICCs) have been accepted as an appropriate vascular access device in patients requiring midterm access. Over the past decade, PICCs have proven to be an appropriate central vascular access device for the acute care setting. With the addition of ultrasound insertion, bedside placement has become safe and successful. PICCs are supported by the AHRQ (2001), CDC (2002), INS, and AVA. The IHI initiative however did not include PICCs or catheter care and maintenance in their 100,000 Lives Campaign. Catheter contamination with insertion, care and maintanence have been identified as major causes of CRBSI. In December of 2005, we were a small team focused on peripheral intravenous (IV) starts and few peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) insertions. It was determined that to improve patient outcomes, become more cost effective, and improve continuity of central venous catheter care, we redirected our service towards an advanced vascular access team. This team would take ownership of PICC insertion and maintenance of vascular access devices.
5. 04.01.0828 Months at Zero - 2008 INS PosterThe right line, for the right patient, for the right diagnosis, for the right therapy.
6. 12.01.07Journal of the Association for Vascular Access Achieving Zero CRBSI: 15 Months Success December 2008
7. 09.01.06PICC Occlusion Rates: Prospective Study Comparing Positive pressure I.V. Connector Versus Neutral Displacement I.V. ConnectorAwarded first place for the best clinical poster presentation at the 20th Annual Association for Vascular Access Conference, September 2006, Indianapolis, IN
8. 09.01.06Karen White 2006 AVA Poster InVsion-Plus® Reduces Occlusions Compared to Positive Pressure I.V. Connectors