Disinfecting Port Protectors: A Case Study

Do disinfecting port protectors help prevent central and peripheral line associated bloodstream infection? The purpose for this evidence based research paper is to determine whether that the use of disinfecting port protectors (green/red caps) reduces the incidence of intravenous catheter related bloodstream infection in the hospital setting. In our clinical rotation, we noticed that some nurses implemented the usage of the disinfecting port protectors to prevent infection, while others did not. Studies show that consistent use of Curos disinfecting caps on IV needleless connectors is associated with decreased central line associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI). In 2014, an estimated 250,000 people in the United States were affected by catheter related bloodstream infections (DeVries, 2014). Many hospitals have started to implement the usage of these devices in the past 5 years. Our goal with this research project is to find out if these disinfecting port protectors really help in the fight against infection-causing microorganisms. Majority of the patients will have at least one IV line inserted during their hospital stay. When nursing staff fail to care and maintain the IV port properly, it increases the patient’s risk for bloodborne infection. According to British Journal Of Cardiac Nursing, “Infection can occur from endogenous means where
When a patient developed infection, the length of the hospital stay is extended, and the cost of hospital cost will increase. The purpose of disinfecting port protectors is to prevent patient from acquire bloodborne infection and evident based research has been proven its effectiveness. By using disinfecting port protectors in patient with IV port, not only nurses can help to protect the patient, they can also help the hospital to save a large amount of