Passive Disinfection Cap Compliance Study

Insertion and maintenance of central venous catheter (CVC) lines are common hospital procedures in patients, including those being treated for cancer. CVCs allow clinicians an access point for infusion of fluids, blood sampling, and measurements, decreasing the need for repeated needle sticks to the patient. However, bloodstream infections associated with CVCs (CLABSIs) are a serious complication, leading to significantly longer hospital stays, morbidity, and mortality. Keeping catheter ports disinfected reduces the risk of bloodstream infection; however, consistent and adequate maintenance and disinfection of the line can be difficult. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate that passive disinfecting caps can provide a patient safety practice that is easy for clinicians to follow, as well as providing easily auditable compliance, which may lead to lower CLABSI rates. The compliance rate for needleless connector disinfection will be evaluated after implementation of the passive disinfecting cap, and compared to the pre-intervention rate. The CLABSI rates before and after cap implementation will also be compared.