Dr Maryanne Kuek1, Dr Sarah McLean1, Professor Enzo Palombo1, Professor Sharon Brownie2,3,4, Professor Claire M Rickard5,6,7, Dr Nahid Choudhury8
1School of Science, Computing and Emerging Technologies, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia, 2School of Health Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia, 3School of Rural Medicine, Charles Sturt University, Orange, Australia, 4Centre for Health & Social Practice, Wintec Te Pukenga, New Zealand, 5Alliance for Vascular Access Teaching and Research, Griffith University, Nathan, Australia, 6School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work and Centre for Clinical Research, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia, 7Herston Infectious Diseases Institute, Metro North Health, Herston, Australia, 8Metro North Health, Herston, Australia
Biography:
Dr Kuek is an early career researcher in the field of microbiology, with a PhD focused on bacteriophage-related studies. Her involvement in health-related research has enabled her to apply her microbiological expertise to interdisciplinary projects, highlighting successful collaborations across diverse scientific fields.
Abstract:
Introduction
Needleless connectors (NCs) are widely used in clinical settings to reduce needlestick injuries but are also associated with catheter-associated bloodstream infections (CABSIs), which increase treatment costs and hospital stays. Effective NC disinfection is therefore critical. This study evaluated the efficacy of three disinfectant agents across varying decontamination durations and drying times.
Methods
NC septa were inoculated with clinically isolated Acinetobacter courvalinii (RBH1208) and Staphylococcus hominis (1075UD), then treated with either 70% isopropyl alcohol (IPA), 2% chlorhexidine gluconate in 70% IPA (CHG-IPA) for 5, 10, or 15 seconds, or alcohol-impregnated antiseptic caps (AICs) for 5 minutes. Treatments were followed by drying times of 5, 10, or 15 seconds. Bacterial recovery was assessed via vortexing and sonication in Dey-Engley neutralising broth, followed by spread-plating on Tryptic Soy Agar and incubation at 37°C. A total of 378 decontamination procedures were performed, with nine replicates per condition.
Results
All disinfectant treatments significantly reduced (p < 0.05) bacterial counts compared to positive controls, achieving reductions of approximately 2.4–4.4 log CFU/mL. No statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed among disinfectant types, application durations, or drying times. However, CHG-IPA and AICs yielded more consistent bacterial reductions and showed a trend toward greater disinfection efficacy than 70% IPA. The absence of statistical significance may be due to limited statistical power from the modest sample size per condition.
Conclusion
NC disinfection proved essential in reducing bacterial counts. While no method proved superior, AICs present a promising, operator-independent alternative for routine clinical use.