Re: Needless Connectors & CRBSI

[InfusionTx]

Well Peter you hit the question exactly. Drs Maki and Jarvis did not mention a specific brand. The word from valve manufacturers seems to be blaming weaknesses in the fluid path seal that allow liquid contaminates in. I heard practioners talking about poor staff education and/or compliance with swabbing as a possible cause.   But truly we don't know that there is a problem. There was no data given as to type of valve or how it was used or how staff was educated. There was no data about a trailing a different valve to see if there was a difference. and no mention was made as to the reeducation of staff and a trail to follow that.   So I feel we have many more questions to answer before we start tossing our valves in the can. But certainly it is interesting and worthy of note. I hope that everyone will begin taking a close look at the numbers in their facilities. Perhaps a few quick small trials to see if any trends emerge.   Tony   In a message dated 1/15/2006 8:14:56 P.M. Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Thank you Tony for keeping us all up to date with the conference!! A question though is burning in my mind. I don't recall, from the disscussion we had on the list this spring/summer, about a brand  specific needless connector being responsible for for the increase in CRBSI. So could you please tell us which connector(s) are in question? What is the reason that belies a particular valve design, that makes it prone to causing CRBSI?   Peter Marino RN BSN   ----- Original Message ----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Sunday, January 15, 2006 12:06 am Subject: AVA conference, DAY 3"The topic was needleless connectors. They discussed the qualities of a needleless device that would contribute to maintaining a safe fluid pathway. The premise is that the association of increased catheter related infections with valves is likely a brand specific problem and not a wholesale problem of the device category as Drs Maki and Jarvis’s data might have led one to believe." > Tony West, RN, CRNI > Healix, Inc. > Email:  [EMAIL PROTECTED] or [EMAIL PROTECTED] > SMS: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Cell:  214-674-4848