A prospective clinical study to investigate the microbial contamination a needleless connector

Needleless connectors, which allow direct access to intravascular catheters , are widely used in clinical practice. The benefits of these devices to he althcare workers are well documented; however, the potential risk of microb ial contamination and associated infection is unclear. This clinical study evaluated microbial, contamination rates for a needleless connector, Connec ta Clave(R) (CC(R)), as compared to a conventional three-way tap, which was connected to the hubs of central venous catheters (CVC) immediately follow ing insertion. Patients in the study group had CC(R) attached to the three- way taps, whereas the control group had standard entry port caps. On remova l (up to 72 h) the connectors were studied for microbial contamination. The re was no significant difference between the number of three-way taps conta minated on the internal surface with micro-organisms in the control group w ith entry port caps (19/132, 14%) compared to the group with CC(R) (18/105, 17%). Sixteen percent (27/173) of the CC(R) were contaminated with micro-o rganisms on the internal surfaces. The external surface of 33% (27/82) of t he CC(R) silicone seals were contaminated after clinical use. Micro-organis ms were also isolated from 9% (8/91) of the silicone seals after disinfecti on. The use of this needleless connector, compared to standard caps therefo re does not appear to increase the risk of infection via the internal lumen of three-way taps. (C) 2000 The Hospital Infection Society.