Needleless dispensing pin with 1-way valve does not decrease bacterial contamination of communal-use intravenous fluid bags in simulated clinical scenario

Objective: To determine whether using a needleless dispensing pin (test port) with a 1-way valve decreases bacterial contamination of communal-use IV fluid bags in a simulated clinical scenario. Methods: 30 paired sets of IV fluid bags (0.9% NaCl, 1,000 mL) were hung in a common hospital location (anesthesia induction). Each set contained a control bag that was sampled via its native puncture port and a test bag sampled via the 1-way valved port. Fluid samples (3 mL) were removed 3 times daily for 10 consecutive days via respective bag ports. On days 0, 2, 4, 7, and 10, duplicate port surface swabs and 50-mL fluid samples were submitted for bacterial culture. Results: Mean total CFU (port + fluid) was not significantly different between groups (control = 0.0955 CFU; test = 0.0897 CFU). Mean port CFU (control = 0.07 CFU; test = 0.1567 CFU) and mean fluid CFU (control = 0.1209 CFU; test = 0.0028 CFU) were not significantly different between groups. Probability of contamination was not different between control and test groups. Forty-nine of 600 sample points (8.17%) were contaminated. The most common isolates were Staphylococcus spp (n = 24) and Micrococcus luteus (15). Conclusions: Results indicated no significant reduction in contamination of the port or fluid contents when the test port was used compared with the native puncture port. Clinical Relevance: Users should not rely on the test port to reduce bacterial contamination of communal-use fluid bags.