Use of Disinfecting Caps to Reduce CLABSI Rates: An Integrative Literature Review

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate current literature on the effectiveness of disinfecting caps for the prevention of CLABSI.

Background: Central line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) account for approximately 41,000 hospital acquired infections per year and are preventable. A preventative tactic for CLABSIs is keeping ports clean to prevent bacteria growth. Many institutions have implemented the use of disinfecting caps but the effect on CLABSI rates are unclear.

PICOT Question: In hospitalized adults, how does the use of disinfecting barrier caps for intravenous needleless connector ports compared to the standard scrubbing the hub method for disinfection purposes affect the rate of CLABSIs seen within the hospital stay?

Methods: An integrative literature review was conducted using CINAHL, EBSCO Host, Elsevier, and Google Scholar to locate publications between 2017-2023.

Results: Fifteen articles were identified that met the inclusion criteria. All articles noted a decrease in CLABSI rates with the use of disinfecting caps. Some studies implemented several interventions simultaneously making it difficult to determine the exact effect of disinfecting caps on CLABSI rates while other studies focused on disinfecting cap implementation and staff compliance. Although the type of disinfecting cap varied, the outcome remained the same.

Conclusion: The literature revealed that disinfecting caps are effective in decreasing CLABSI rates in hospitalized adults. Reducing CLABSI with the use of disinfecting caps will not only improve patient safety but also reduce health care costs.

Keywords: CLABSI prevention, disinfecting caps, hospitalized adults

Presentation

Biography

Jessica Putnam, RN, BSN

Jessica Putnam, RN, BSN has been a registered nurse since 2003. She graduated from Queens University of Charlotte with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing and is currently a graduate student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte pursuing my Master of Science Degree in the Adult Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program. She is a native of the Carolinas and I work at Novant Health in the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program.

Lauren Korab, RN, BSN

Lauren Korab, RN, BSN is a Registered Nurse at Atrium Health. Currently, she works in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Levine Children’s Hospital. Korab graduated with my Associate Degree in Nursing in 2015 from Central Piedmont Community College, obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, and will graduate in December, 2023 with a Master of Science in Nursing Education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Kelli Walker, RN, BSN

Kelli Walker, RN, BSN is a graduate student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte pursuing her Master of Science degree in Nursing Education. She am from Nashville Tennessee and works at Vanderbilt University Medical Center as an Assistant Nurse Manager for Remote Monitoring.

Faculty Committee Advisor(s)

Willie M. Abel, PhD, RN, FAHA