Alcohol-impregnated caps and ambulatory central-line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs): A randomized clinical trial. (12th April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Milstone, Aaron M.; Rosenberg, Carol; Yenokyan, Gayane; Koontz, Danielle W.; Miller, Marlene R.
• Other Names: collab.
• Is Part Of: Infection control and hospital epidemiology. Volume 42:Number 4(2021)
• Page Start: 431
• Page End: 439
• Publication Date: 2021-04-12
• Subjects: Nosocomial infections -- Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Health facilities -- Sanitation -- Periodicals; Hospital buildings -- Sanitation -- Periodicals; Cross Infection -- Periodicals; Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Hospitals -- Periodicals; Infection Control -- Periodicals; 614.44
• DOI: 10.1017/ice.2020.467
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0899-823X

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the effect of 70% isopropyl alcohol–impregnated central venous catheter caps on ambulatory central-line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) in pediatric hematology-oncology patients. Design: This study was a 24-month, cluster-randomized, 2 period, crossover clinical trial. Setting: The study was conducted in 15 pediatric healthcare institutions, including 16 pediatric hematology-oncology clinics. Participants: All patients with an external central line followed at 1 of the 16 hematology-oncology clinics. Intervention: Usual ambulatory central-line care per each institution using 70% isopropyl alcohol–impregnated caps at home compared to usual ambulatory central-line care in each institution without using 70% isopropyl alcohol–impregnated caps. Results: Of the 16 participating clinics, 15 clinics completed both assignment periods. As assigned, there was no reduction in CLABSI incidence in clinics using 70% isopropyl alcohol–impregnated caps (1.23 per 1, 000 days) compared with standard practices (1.38 per 1, 000 days; adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR], 0.83; 95% CI, 0.63–1.11). In the per-protocol population, there was a reduction in positive blood culture incidence in clinics using 70% isopropyl alcohol-impregnated caps (1.51 per 1, 000 days) compared with standard practices (1.88 per 1, 000 days; aIRR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.52–0.99). No adverse events were reported. Conclusions: Isopropyl alcohol–impregnated central-line caps did not lead to a statistically significant reduction in CLABSI rates in ambulatory hematology-oncology patients. In the per-protocol analysis, there was a statistically significant decrease in positive blood cultures. Larger trials are needed to elucidate the impact of 70% isopropyl alcohol–impregnated caps in the ambulatory setting. Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ; NCT02351258