needle Free Connector
Introduced in the 1990s, needle free connectors have become an essential component of 21st century medical care, as they have removed the inherent needle stick injury risk associated with older needle-based connectors. Used on both central and peripheral vascular access devices, they allow for the safer administration of medication, fluid and blood.
However, needle free connectors carry a significantly increased risk of bloodstream infection. If the injection site has not been properly cleaned before accessing, pathogens can infiltrate the vascular access device and enter the bloodstream.
This increased risk of bloodstream infection is concerning not only due to the increased risk of morbidity and mortality to the patient, but also due to the prolonged hospital admission and pressure placed on the healthcare sector while the patient recovers from this hospital-acquired infection.
As such, the importance of appropriate hygiene must be emphasised, in order to ensure that microbes are not being injected into the vein.3Issues however arise due to confusion of appropriate cleaning techniques, products, and drying times. For instance, Queensland Health guidelines states that the manufacturer's policy should be followed, which in itself is difficult to access. As a result of conflicting evidence and guidelines, accessing the port is often left to the discretion of the clinician, which presents the potential for significant issues.
In medicine, a needleless connector connects to the end of vascular catheters and enable catheter access for infusion and aspiration. Needleless connectors (also known as NC's) were developed to reduce needlestick injuries, which occurs when the skin is accidentally punctured by a used needle.Needlestick injuries can be very serious and potentially expose a healthcare professional to bloodborne infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.
The needless connectors or tubing should provide safe access to the catheter without the use of needles and enable the following:
--Minimise catheter occlusion risk.
--Allow for easy and effective decontamination between each use to prohibit microbial entry e.g via a flat surface which is flush with the housing.
--Withstand toxic drugs and antiseptics without device degradation.
--Minimise internal biofilm formation and microbial growth.
--With regard to usage, make it easy for the HCW to do the right thing and enable them to be sure what the right thing to do is, e.g. a visible fluid pathway --to ensure that flushing leaves the housing free of visible blood.
Before utilizing a needleless connector, it is important to properly disinfect the device to help prevent central line–associated bloodstream infection.