Closed Infusion Systems Including Caresite® Extension Set Prevent Microbial Contamination

 

Healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) are a major problem for healthcare systems as they contribute to increased morbidity and mortality in hospitalised patients. Each year, HAIs affect millions of patients worldwide[1, 2].

Infusion systems are widely used in daily clinical practice. Their major goals are the protection of healthcare workers against exposure to infectious agents and potentially harmful drugs, as well as the protection of patients from microbial contamination.

Infusion systems are typically expected to be closed systems. The definition of a closed system should take into account the following aspects:

With respect to infection by transmission, the most clinically relevant pathways are direct contact and airborne transmission. Therefore, the microbial barrier function of infusion systems is an important aspect to consider in terms of preventing microbial ingress and nosocomial infections.

The aim of this study was to investigate a complete infusion device as a closed system to confirm the microbial barrier effectiveness of the connections found on a typical infusion system (B. Braun’s infusion system including Caresite® extension set) that are subject to microbial exposure (touch and airborne contamination).

For testing, a completely assembled infusion system with a Caresite® extension set was used (Figure 1).

Two test scenarios were investigated:

In both scenarios, the infusion was administered by gravity flow. In a second step, the infusion solution was collected, centrifuged and analysed for bacterial contamination. All tests were performed 5 times, using new materials for each single experiment. An infusion system including a Caresite® extension set without disinfection was used as a positive control, and a pre-assembled infusion system including a Caresite® extension set was used as a negative control.

No microbial contamination was detected in any of the five Caresite® extension sets tested (touch/ airborne contamination). For the positive controls, living organisms were recovered (Figure 2).

The presented data demonstrates that the applied test methods are suitable for investigating the microbial barrier effectiveness of infusion system components such as the Caresite® extension set as well as of the complete infusion systems. The presence of microbes on the Caresite® extension set connection sites after the artificial contamination does not necessarily result in their transmission into the extension set or infusion system, but the data proves that handling the extension set/system without disinfecting the connection sites can result in transmission of microorganisms into the extension set/system. Once transmission has occurred, the microorganisms may enter the patient’s body and can be the initial stage of an infection.

The applied methods demonstrate that the infusion system components tested – such as the Caresite® extension set - act as an antimicrobial barrier when used and disinfected according to instructions and guidelines.