I have read a draft of the new CDC guidelines for Prevention of Intravascular Catheter-Related Infections and pertaining to cap cleaning it states:
4. Minimize contamination risk by wiping the access port with an appropriate antiseptic (chlorhexidine preferred) and accessing the port only with sterile devices [330, 333, 335]. Category IA
The references are dated 1998,1998,and 1999. Was chlorhexidine even used then? Has anyone switched from alcohol to chlorhexidine?
Thanks. Tami
Sorry about the extra spaces in the above post.........
The last edition of the CDC guidelines was dated 2002. There were many published studies available on CHG long before that document was released. All standards and guidelines are based on the available data at the time it was written. I would caution about writing any policies and procedures based on this draft. It was released on Nov 2009 for public comment. There was lots of comments and some language has changed, although we do not know exactly what will be in the final version. We do know that the final version will be published soon in the American Journal of Infection Control and also on the CDC website, but the exact date is unknown. Lynn
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, BC, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
126 Main Street, PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861
Lynn-This is a timely subject for me as a rep approached me on Wednesday regarding product changes within our hospital. She asked me if our alcohol prep pads need to be sterile as the non-sterile version is more cost effective (of course!). My immediate answer to her was yes they must be sterile as we are currently using the alcohol prep pads for catheter hub/injection port disinfection. What are your thoughts?
Jeannette Andrews, RN, CRNI, VA-BC
Totally agree with you that sterile is required. There have been recalls of even sterile alcohol products. This means that even alcohol can be contaminated but those that are labeled as sterile should provide a higher level of confidence that you are not adding to the bioburden on the cleaned surface. Lynn
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, BC, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
126 Main Street, PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861
Thanks Lynn for confirming. I appreciate your help.
Jeannette Andrews, RN, CRNI, VA-BC