I. Raad et al., Optimal frequency of changing intravenous administration sets: Is it safe to prolong use beyond 72 hours?, INFECT CONT, 22(3), 2001, pp. 136-139
OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety and cost-effectiveness of replacing the
intravenous (IV) tubing sets in hospitalized patients at 4- to 7-day interv
als instead of every 72 hours.
DESIGN: Prospective, randomized study of infusion-related contamination ass
ociated with changing TV tubing sets within 3 days versus within 4 to 7 day
s of placement.
SETTING: A tertiary university cancer center.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cancer patients requiring IV infusion therapy were ra
ndomized to have the IV tubing sets replaced within 3 days (280 patients) o
r within 4 to 7 days of placement (232 patients). Demographic, microbiologi
cal, and infusion-related data were collected for all participants. The mai
n outcome measures were infusion- or catheter-related contamination or colo
nization of IV tubing, determined by quantitative cultures of the infusate,
and infusion- or catheter-related bloodstream infection (BST), determined
by quantitative culture of the infusate in association with blood cultures
in febrile patients.
RESULTS: The two groups were comparable in terms of patient and catheter ch
aracteristics and the agents given through the IV tubing. Intent-to-treat a
nalysis demonstrated a higher level of tubing colonization in the 4- to 7-d
ay group versus the 3-day group (median, 145 vs 50 colony-forming units; P
= .02). In addition, there were three episodes of possible infusion-related
BSIs, all of which occurred in the 4- to 7-day group (P = .09). However, w
hen the 84 patients who received total parenteral nutrition, blood transfus
ions, or interleukin-2 through the IV tubing were excluded, the two groups
had a comparable rate of colonization (0.4% vs 0.5%), with no catheter- or
infusion-related BSIs in either group.
CONCLUSION: In patients at low risk for infection from infusion- or cathete
r-related infection who are not receiving total parenteral nutrition, blood
transfusions, or interleukin-2, delaying the replacement of IV tubing up t
o 7 days may be safe, as well as cost-effective.