Fluid dispersal from safety cannulas: an in vitro comparative test

Victor D Rosenthal; Gavin Hughes

doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2014.11.020

Fluid dispersal from safety cannulas: an in vitro comparative test

Am J Infect Control. 2015 Mar 1;43(3):305-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2014.11.020.

Authors

Victor D Rosenthal¹, Gavin Hughes²

Affiliations

¹ International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium, Department of Infectious Diseases, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Electronic address: victor_rosenthal@inicc.org.
² Princess of Wales Hospital, Department of Infectious Diseases, Bridgend, South Wales, United Kingdom.

PMID: 25728160
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2014.11.020

Abstract

We report a comparative laboratory study between 2 peripheral intravenous catheters equipped with a passive fully automatic safety mechanism to assess generation of blood droplets during withdrawal. One presented no fluid droplets, whereas the other presented droplets in 48% and 60% for the best and worst case, with analysis of variance showing positive effects on the number of droplets generated (P < .001). Safety devices can introduce hazards if health care workers are at risk from blood splatter.

Keywords: Blood splatter; Infection transmission; Peripheral intravenous catheters; Safety devices.

Publication types

Comparative Study

MeSH terms

Body Fluids*
Catheterization, Peripheral / instrumentation*
Catheters*
Environmental Exposure*
Humans
Occupational Exposure*
Protective Devices*
Risk Assessment