A Protocol to Set Up Needle-Free Connector with Positive Displacement on Central Venous Catheter in Intensive Care Unit

Summary

We present a protocol to show the installation of a needle-free connector with positive displacement on a central venous catheter.

Abstract

Needle-free connectors were initially designed and promoted to avoid blood exposure for healthcare workers. Some recent data suggest that the latest generation of connectors (with positive displacement) may be of interest for reducing central venous line infections. We have been using needle-free connectors for several years in our intensive care unit and here we present a protocol for installing these connectors on central venous catheters. After insertion of the catheter and control of the permeability of the lines, the connectors must be purged with 0.9% NaCl before being connected. The connectors replace all disposable caps used on infusion stopcocks and manifolds. All the connectors are changed every 7 days as recommended by the manufacturer (except when there is macroscopic contamination, which requires an immediate change of the connector). Before each injection, the connector must be disinfected for at least 3 seconds with 70% isopropyl alcohol. The connectors must not be disconnected (unless changed), as the injection is done through the device. Setting up the connectors slightly increases the total time required to place the catheter and there is no formal evidence that these connectors reduce the incidence of infectious or thrombotic complications. However, these devices simplify the management of central venous lines and prevent the catheter circuit from "opening" once it has been sterilely installed.

Introduction

Central venous catheter-related infections (CRI) are a severe complication of central venous catheters in intensive care unit (ICU). The decline in CRI remains an ever-present objective, with a final goal of "zero catheter related infection"¹. Needle-free connectors were initially designed and promoted to avoid blood exposure for healthcare workers. There are two main designs of connectors: split septum (no internal moving parts) and closed valve systems (internal moving components) but both designs can be combined in one connector². Needle-free connectors are categorized according to the type of fluid displacement that occurs after disconnection of a male Luer valve: negative (blood reflux into the catheter), neutral, and positive (with a push of blood out of the catheter lumen)^2,3.

Some connectors have been described as a cause of catheter-related infections, in particular in the intensive care unit (ICU)^4,5,6. A new generation of needle-free connectors with minimal internal complexity, a reduction or elimination of interstitial or dead space, a visible fluid path to help assess proper flushing technique, and a flat access surface, etc. has been designed to lower the risk of infection. In vitro, these connectors have shown low bacterial colonization⁷. There are global recommendations from the laboratory manufacturing these connectors; however, there is no practical description of how to install them on catheters⁸. Hence, it is possible that each team uses them differently. Therefore, we propose a formalized protocol for the installation of these connectors on central venous lines in the ICU.

We present the installation of a positive pressure needleless connector (PPNC) with an internal silicone piston in our ICU but this protocol is applicable with any positive displacement valve. This valve is a mechanical needle-free connector with positive displacement.

Protocol

1. Preparation of connectors and infusion lines Sterilely retrieve the connectors. On the 3-way extension stopcock, screw 1 connector into each socket of the stopcock and 1 connector into the end of the extension line. Take 0.9% NaCl with a 50 mL syringe to purge the extension and the lines. Purge each 3-way extension with 0.9% NaCl through the 2 connectors of the stopcock. Take the infusion manifold. Unscrew each single-use cap. Screw 1 connector into each socket of the manifold to replac…

Representative Results

Once all the elements are in place, the catheter has connectors on almost all the junctions between two infusion lines (Figure 1). Thus, it has proximal connectors on each line and two connectors on the sockets of the 3-way extensions (Figure 2). Each infusion line has connectors at all its female sockets (Figure 3). Once the assembly is in place, any injection or infusion (continuous or discontinuous) must be made, after disinfecti…

Discussion

Setting up the connectors slightly increases the total time required to place the catheter. However, their use has several advantages: no need to maintain a continuous saline perfusion for non-infused lines, rapid stopping of infusion of the lines if necessary (in case of urgent transport of the patient for example), no need to use single-use caps several times a day to close the infusion lines. The use of connectors simplifies the daily use of catheter infusion lines without any particular complications. It should be no…

Materials

BD MaxZero™ needle-free connector	Becton Dickinson	MZ1000-07	we present the installation of the connector with MaxZero but this protocol is applicable with any positive displacement valve.
4-port mannifold with PE/PVC extension	Cair-LGL	RPB4310A
PE/PVC extension line with 3-way stopcock	Cair-LGL	PE3302M
NaCl 0.9% 250 ml	Baxter	2B1322
BD Plastipak™ 50mL Luer-Lock Syringe	BECTON DICKINSON MEDICAL	613-3925