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The Effectiveness of a Needleless Intravenous Connection System An Assessment by Injury Rate and User Satisfaction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Louann W. Lawrence ,
George L. Delclos ,
Sarah A. Felknor ,
Philip C. Johnson ,
Ralph F. Frankowski ,
Sharon P. Cooper  and
Anthony Davidson
Louann W. Lawrence*
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Technology, Louisiana State University, New Orleans, Louisiana
George L. Delclos
Affiliation:
Southwest Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas
Sarah A. Felknor
Affiliation:
Southwest Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas
Philip C. Johnson
Affiliation:
Department of Internal Medicine at the Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas
Ralph F. Frankowski
Affiliation:
Department of Biometry at the School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas
Sharon P. Cooper
Affiliation:
Southwest Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas
Anthony Davidson
Affiliation:
Southwest Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas
*
Department of Medical Technology, Louisiana State University, 1900 Gravier St, New Orleans, LA 70112-2262
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Abstract

Objective:

To assess the impact of a needleless intravenous (IV) connection system on the rate of reported intravenous-connection–related (IVCR) percutaneous injuries, and to assess user satisfaction, frequency of use, and barriers to use.

Design:

A pre-post inter vention design, with injury incidence rates being compared 3 years before and 1 year after hospitalwide device implementation; and a cross-sectional descriptive user satisfaction survey.

Setting:

Two tertiar y-care teaching hospitals, one general and one pediatric, located in a large metropolitan medical center.

Outcome Variable:

All IVCR percutaneous injuries reported to the employee health ser vices at both hospitals during the years from 1989 to 1991 and 1993.

Study Population:

Survey participants were selected randomly from licensed nursing employees at both hospitals.

Intervention:

IV connection system consisting of blunt plastic cannulas and compressed latex injection sites.

Results:

After device implementation, the IVCR injury rate was reduced 62.4% (rate ratio [RR], 0.38; 95% confidence inter val [CI95], 0.27-0.53) at the general hospital and 70.2% (RR, 0.30; CI95, 0.17-0.53) at the pediatric hospital. After adjusting for the reduction in injury rate due to factors other than device implementation, the IVCR injury rate was reduced 54.5% (adjusted RR, 0.46; CI95, 0.32-0.65) at the general hospital and 57.2% (adjusted RR, 0.43; CI95, 0.24-0.78) at the pediatric hospital. Approximately 94% of survey respondents (n=478, response rate=51%) were satisfied with the device and recommended continued use. However, needles still were being used for activities that could have been performed with the needleless system because of compatibility, accessibility, and other technical problems related to the device.

Conclusions:

The device was effective in reducing the rate of reported IVCR percutaneous injuries and users were satisfied with the device, but barriers to universal use were identified.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 18 , Issue 3 , March 1997 , pp. 175 - 182
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1997

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