Disinfection of vascular catheter connectors that are protected by antiseptic caps is unnecessary.

Objective: Determination of whether vascular catheter disinfecting antiseptic-containing caps alone are effective at decreasing microbial colonization of connectors compared to antiseptic-containing caps plus a 5-second alcohol manual disinfection.

Setting: The study was conducted in a 718-bed, tertiary-care, academic hospital.

Patients: A convenience sample of adult patients across intensive care units and acute care wards with peripheral and central venous catheters covered with antiseptic-containing caps.

Microbial colonization of intravascular catheter connectors in hospitalized patients.

Background: Central line-associated bloodstream infections may be due to catheter connector colonization and intraluminal migration of pathogens. We assessed the colonization of the split septum catheter connector system, and subsequently the luer lock catheter connector system.

Methods: This was a prospective, 2 phase, quality improvement study at a tertiary referral center.

Reduction in Blood Culture Contamination Through Use of Initial Specimen Diversion Device.

Background: Blood culture contamination is a clinically significant problem that results in patient harm and excess cost.

Methods: In a prospective, controlled trial at an academic center Emergency Department, a device that diverts and sequesters the initial 1.5-2 mL portion of blood (which presumably carries contaminating skin cells and microbes) was tested against standard phlebotomy procedures in patients requiring blood cultures due to clinical suspicion of serious infection.

Impact of adenosine triphosphate detection and feedback on hospital room cleaning.

Objective: To assess the effect of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) device measurement of hospital room cleaning and feedback of pooled results to environmental service workers (EVS) to improve cleaning efficacy.

Design: Nonrandomized controlled trial conducted over 20 months.

Setting: Three hospitals of varying size.

Effect of hospital-wide chlorhexidine patient bathing on healthcare-associated infections.

Background: Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) bathing has been used primarily in critical care to prevent central line-associated bloodstream infections and infections due to multidrug-resistant organisms. The objective was to determine the effect of hospital-wide CHG patient bathing on healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).

Design: Quasi-experimental, staged, dose-escalation study for 19 months followed by a 4-month washout period, in 3 cohorts.

Adequate disinfection of a split-septum needleless intravascular connector with a 5-second alcohol scrub.

Objective: Define optimum vascular catheter connector valve disinfection practices under laboratory and clinical conditions.

Design: Prospective observational clinical survey and laboratory assessment of disinfection procedures.

Setting: All adult inpatients at an academic healthcare center.