Speaker: Michele Biscossi ACNP-BC, MS, RN, CNL, VA-BC
Title: Problem or Solution? Clinical Evidence connecting Needle-Free Connectors to Lower Rates of CLABSI and Occlusions
Objectives:
• Understand the significance of needle-free connector design and their effect on catheter related complications.
• Discuss the importance of differentiating between various levels of clinical evidence, as well as in-depth review of specific evidence in the reduction of CLABSI and occlusion.
• Discuss current practices around vascular access insertion and maintenance bundles and review the recommendations from the 2021 INS Standards of Practice pertaining to needle-free connectors.
Abstract: Infusion therapy is important for treating patients, but complications can occur. Evidence based practices and bundles have been developed to help prevent these complications. Needle-free connectors (NFC) are an important component of these practices but there are so many choices, how do facilities and clinicians decide which NFC to choose? The INS 2021 Standards of Practice, when addressing NFC, state to "Evaluate published outcomes of infection risks associated with each type of needleless connector when making product purchase decisions..." This presentation will look at types of evidence and why "real world studies" reporting actual clinical outcomes are more applicable to clinical practice decisions than laboratory studies. A review of specific studies on NFC technology will examine how these studies demonstrate certain features of NFC may help reduce catheter complications