Comparative Effectiveness of 2 Chlorhexidine Gluconate-Containing Dressings in Reducing Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections, Hospital Stay, and Costs.

Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG)-containing dressings are recommended to prevent central line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) and other catheter-related infections. This study compared the effect of 2 CHG dressings on CLABSI, cost of care, and contact dermatitis. A retrospective analysis was conducted using the Premier Healthcare Database of hospitalized patients (n = 53 149) with central venous catheters (CVCs) and receiving either a transparent CHG gel dressing (n = 14 488) or an opaque CHG sponge dressing (n = 38 661) between January 2019 and September 2020.

Reducing antimicrobial resistance by practicing better infection prevention and control.

This article summarizes an event hosted on the sidelines of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on antimicrobial resistance.

Effectiveness of Disinfecting Caps for Intravenous Access Points in Reducing Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections, Clinical Utilization, and Cost of Care During COVID-19.

Purpose: Intravenous (IV) access point protectors, serving as passive disinfection devices and a cover between line accesses, are available to help reduce the risk of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs). This low-maintenance disinfection solution is particularly valuable in situations with excessive workloads. This study examined the effect of a disinfecting cap for an IV access point on CLABSI rates, hospital length of stay, and cost of care in an inpatient setting during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Science of Skin: Measuring Damage and Assessing Risk.

Healthy skin provides a barrier to contaminants. Breaches in skin integrity are often encountered in the patient health care journey, owing to intrinsic health issues or to various procedures and medical devices used. The time has come to move clinical practice beyond mere awareness of medical adhesive-related skin injury and toward improved care and outcomes.

Evaluation of Incise Drape Lift Using 2% Chlorhexidine Gluconate/70% Isopropyl Alcohol Preoperative Skin Preparations in a Human Volunteer Knee Model.

Background: Before surgery, skin is prepped with antiseptics to reduce risk of surgical site infections. An incise drape can be used as an additional modality to immobilize any remaining bacteria. Good adhesion of this drape is critical for infection prevention.

Venous Leg Ulcers: A Review of Published Assessment and Treatment Algorithms.

Chronic venous disease (CVD) is prevalent in the aging population and leads to venous leg ulcers (VLUs). These wounds can last and recur for years, significantly impacting quality of life. A large body of literature exists on CVD and VLU diagnosis and treatment.

Infection prevention practices and the use of medical tapes.

Background: Medical tapes are ubiquitous in healthcare and there are currently no guidelines for their storage and use. Tapes cannot be cleaned or disinfected; yet, several clinicians may use a given roll for any number of patients. Reports of tape contamination associated with clinical infection have been published.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Oxygen Compatibility of Skin and Wound Care Products.

Use test methods to assess the oxygen compatibility of various wound care products. There are currently no standard test methods specifically for evaluating the oxygen compatibility and safety of materials under hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) conditions. However, tests such as the oxygen index (OI), oxygen exposure (OE), and autogenous ignition temperature (AIT) can provide useful information.

Skin Protectants Made of Curable Polymers: Effect of Application on Local Skin Temperature.

To measure the skin temperature after application of a new skin protectant intended for incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD), compared with a commercial product with an analogous cyanoacrylate-based chemistry. Twelve healthy human volunteers received an application of the new product on one thigh and of the comparator on the other thigh. An infrared camera using ThermaCAM™ software imaged the skin and measured the temperature at the skin surface over time to characterize the thermal cure profile induced by the products on the skin.

Effect on Microbial Growth of a New Skin Protectant Formulation.

Evaluate the effect of a new investigational skin protectant formulation on the growth of various microorganisms . An laboratory assay with various species of gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria, and yeast grown on agar plates was used to verify that a new investigational product used for the management of incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) does not support microbial growth. The investigational product did not support the growth of all organisms tested for 48 h in these assays.

Catheter Securement Systems for Peripherally Inserted and Nontunneled Central Vascular Access Devices: Clinical Evaluation of a Novel Sutureless Device.

Sutureless catheter securement systems are intended to eliminate risks associated with sutures. The clinical acceptability of a novel system was investigated compared with the current method of securement for peripherally inserted central catheters (19 facilities using StatLock or sutures) or nontunneled central vascular access devices (3 facilities using StatLock or sutures or HubGuard + Sorbaview Shield). More than 94% of respondents rated the novel system as same, better, or much better than their current product.

In vivo methods to evaluate a new skin protectant for loss of skin integrity.

A new skin protectant was developed for use on conditions involving partial-thickness skin loss such as severe incontinence-associated dermatitis. This new formulation is based on a cyanoacrylate chemistry designed to polymerize in situ and create a breathable film able to protect the skin surface from external irritants. This film provides an environment favorable for healing to occur beneath the film.

Reducing Friction on Skin at Risk: The Use of 3M Cavilon No Sting Barrier Film.

To compare the coefficient of friction (CoF) of skin against fabric when the skin is covered with a liquid barrier film versus a silicone dressing, relative to a bare skin baseline. A laboratory instrument allowing the measurement of friction between two surfaces was used to compare the CoF between a fabric representing bed linen (100% cotton) and the skin of two laboratory operators, either bare (dry or hydrated) or covered with a liquid barrier film or a silicone dressing. The CoF of hydrated skin was over twice the value found for dry skin.

Catheter securement systems: comparison of two investigational devices to a sutureless securement device, a securement dressing, and sutures in a pig model.

Background: Catheter securement is critical for the success of infusion therapy and to prevent complications. Our purpose was to compare the strength of catheter securement achieved with two investigational adhesive securement devices to two securement products and also to sutures using an in vivo animal model.

Methods: Twenty-five live pigs were prepared for aseptic abdominal surgery.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of a Transparent Antimicrobial Dressing for Managing Central Venous and Arterial Catheters in Intensive Care Units.

Objective: To model the cost-effectiveness impact of routine use of an antimicrobial chlorhexidine gluconate-containing securement dressing compared to non-antimicrobial transparent dressings for the protection of central vascular lines in intensive care unit patients.

Design: This study uses a novel health economic model to estimate the cost-effectiveness of using the chlorhexidine gluconate dressing versus transparent dressings in a French intensive care unit scenario. The 30-day time non-homogeneous markovian model comprises eight health states.

Preclinical Models of Wound Healing: Is Man the Model? Proceedings of the Wound Healing Society Symposium.

Significance: A review of therapeutic effects in preclinical and clinical studies suggests that concordance between large animal (pig=78%), small laboratory animal (53%) and (57%) results with those observed in humans is only partial. Pig models of wound healing provide major advantages over other animal models. Since the vast majority of wound-healing research is done in rodents and , the low concordance rate is a significant impediment to research that will have any clinical impact.

Nitric oxide levels in wound fluid may reflect the healing trajectory.

We analyzed nitric oxide metabolites (nitrate and nitrite, NOx) and other biomarkers in human wound fluids and correlated these markers with wound healing status (progressing or worsening) based on patient's wound history. Samples were collected pre- and postcleansing from patients with wounds of various etiologies and analyzed for NOx, matrix metalloproteinase activity, and elastase activity. A laboratory method was developed to analyze NOx which can detect at least 5 μM in samples as small as 10 μL.

3M Coban 2 Layer Compression Therapy: Intelligent Compression Dynamics to Suit Different Patient Needs.

Problem: Chronic venous insufficiency can lead to recalcitrant leg ulcers. Compression has been shown to be effective in healing these ulcers, but most products are difficult to apply and uncomfortable for patients, leading to inconsistent/ineffective clinical application and poor compliance. In addition, compression presents risks for patients with an ankle-brachial pressure index (ABPI) <0.