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Overhead view of intubated ICU patient, 3985

Help reduce the risk of bloodstream infections at all access points

IV therapy is a critical and fundamental part of patient care. While infusion therapy is a common way to deliver fluids and other types of medications, it comes with risks. 
  
In fact, catheter-associated bloodstream infections (CABSIs) can occur at the time of the initial insertion or anytime throughout the duration of intravenous access — creating the potential for longer hospital stays¹⁻⁵, increased care costs²,⁷ and higher patient mortality.⁶ 

60% of all CABSIs originate from some form of vascular access.⁵

1 in 4 patients who contract a CABSI will die.⁶

The consequences of just one bloodstream infection is considerable, costing up to £9,990 per patient.14

How to stop bloodstream infections before they start
Read our antimicrobial protection brochure to learn why bloodstream infections (BSIs) occur, best practice guidelines to help prevent them and how to choose the right solution to protect patients.

3M™ Tegaderm™ IV Advanced  Dressing 1683 Lifestyle Image, featuring mother and newborn baby in hospital

Make peripheral IVs a central focus

Peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs, PVCs and PIVs) are some of the most frequently used vascular access devices in healthcare settings, with 60% – 90% of hospitalised patients requiring an IV during their stay.8 However, while placing a PIVC is one of the most common invasive medical procedures performed worldwide,8 it can lead to complications, patient anxiety and dissatisfaction, as well as nurse anxiety.

Many studies point to why PIVCs should be at the centernot the periphery — of initiatives to prevent catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI), reduce clinical cost and improve patient outcomes.

PIVCs are often considered a low-risk procedure; however:

A literature review found short-term PIVCs accounted for 22% of hospital-acquired CRBSI.9

Well-trained professionals see high PIVC failure rates of 36% to 63% (mean failure rate of 46%).8

A non-ICU study found PIVCs accounted for 41%* of CRBSIs, with a mortality rate of 12.7%.10


*n=204.

One observational study found clinically indicated replacement of PIVCs was associated with higher rates of PIVC-BSI when compared to routine [individual research result (IRR), 7.20; 95% confidence interval (CI), 3.65-14.22; p <.001].11

PIVCs with dwell times >3 days have been associated with a significantly increased risk of local site infection, phlebitis and PIVCR-BSIs. (ex. PIVCR-BSI incidence was 324 times higher with catheter dwell times of less than three days vs. more than three days).9

Antimicrobial protection and catheter securement

Organisms on the skin gain access to the bloodstream or via migration through the inner catheter lumen through the catheter port (intraluminal contamination); both important routes of catheter-related bloodstream infections.12

Know your patients are protected from bloodstream infections. Choose from our range of antimicrobial solutions to defend against extraluminal and intraluminal bloodstream infections.

Tegaderm IV antimicrobial dressings

Our 3M™ Tegaderm™ IV antimicrobial dressings combine antimicrobial protection with site visibility, catheter securement and consistent application.

Rendered image of the 3M™ Tegaderm™ CHG Chlorhexidine Gluconate I.V. Securement Dressing from a straight-on view
Curos disinfecting port protectors

Our 3M™ Curos™ disinfecting port protectors are alcohol-containing caps that twist onto IV access points for disinfection and protection. They are designed to help reduce the risk of contaminants from entering the catheter post-insertion.

Curos Jet™ Disinfecting Cap for Needleless Connectors CFJ1-270 showing top of cap

Protect every line, every time

The right solutions are an integral part of your overall infection prevention plan. That’s why we’ve designed proven products to help protect every catheter type and every access point at every step of the treatment journey.

Choose from our family of antimicrobial Tegaderm dressings and Curos disinfecting port protectors to help reduce the risk of complications at all IV access points.

Expanded illustration of the protect every line, all the time recommendation for antimicoribal IV dressings
A nurse and a doctor, review results together on a tablet in a healthcare setting.

How to use IV site management solutions

We’re committed to providing ongoing training and support to help you improve clinical outcomes. That’s why we offer resources to help you learn how to use our vascular access products, including Curos disinfecting caps and Tegaderm IV dressings.

Standards

INS standards summary UK

This handout outlines selected updates from the 2024 INS Standards and connects them to 3M solutions for bloodstream infections

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References:

  1. Maki D, Mermel L: Infections due to infusion therapy. In Hospital Infections, edn 4.Edited by Bennett JV, Brachman PS. Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven; 1998:689–724..

  2. CDC Vital Signs: Making health care safer: Reducing bloodstream infections. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/pdf/2011-03-vitalsigns.pdfopens in a new tab (PDF, 2.75 MB) Published March, 2011. Accessed June 18, 2017.

  3. Blot SI, Depuydt P, Annemans L, Benoit D, Hoste E, De Waele JJ, Decruyenaere J, Vogelaers D, Colardyn F, Vandewoude KH. Clinical and economic outcomes in critically ill patients with nosocomial catheter-related bloodstream infections. Clin Infect Dis. 2005 Dec 1;41(11):1591-1598.

  4. Zimlichman E, Henderson D, et al. Health Care–Associated Infections: A Meta-analysis of Costs and Financial Impact on the US Health Care System. JAMA Intern Med. 2013 Dec 9-23;173(22):2039-2046. doi: 10.1001/ jamainternmed.2013.9763.

  5. Scheithauer S, Lewalter K, Schröder J, et al. Reduction of central venous line-associated bloodstream infection rates by using a chlorhexidine-containing dressing. Infection. 2014;42(1):155-9.  

  6. Center for Disease Control (2005). Vital Signs: Making Health Care Safer. Accessed 7/29/2019 https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/pdf/2011-03-vitalsigns.pdfopens in a new tab (PDF, 2.75 MB). 

  7. Zimlichman E, Henderson D, Tamir O, et al. Health care-associated infections: A meta-analysis of costs and financial impact on the US health care system. JAMA Intern Med. 2013;173(22):2039-2046. 

  8. Helm RE, Klausner JD, Klemperer JD, Flint LM, Huang E. Accepted but unacceptable: Peripheral IV catheter failure. J Infus Nurs. 2015;38(3):189-203. doi:10.1097/NAN.0000000000000100. 

  9. Mermel L. Short-term peripheral venous catheter-related bloodstream infections: A systematic review. Clin Infect Dis. 2017;65(10):1757-1762. doi:10.1093/cid/cix562. 

  10. Saliba P, Hornero A, Cuervo G, et al. Mortality risk factors among non-ICU patients with nosocomial vascular catheter-related bloodstream infections: A prospective cohort study. J Hosp Infect. 2018;99(1):48-54. doi:10.1016/j.jhin.2017.11.002. 

  11. Buetti N, Abbas M, Pittet D, et al. Comparison of routine replacement with clinically indicated replacement of peripheral intravenous catheters. JAMA Intern Med. 2021;181(11):1471-1478. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2021.5345. 

  12. Mermel L.A. 2011. What Is The Predominant Source of Intravascular Catheter Infections?ClinicalInfectious Diseases 52(2):211–212;DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciq108.

  13. 3M Data on File. EM -05 -014960.
  14. Jenks M, Craig J, Green W, Hewitt N, Arber M, Sims A. Appl Health Econ Health Policy. Tegaderm CHG IV Securement Dressing for Central Venous and Arterial Catheter Insertion Sites: A NICE Medical Technology Guidance. 2016 Apr; 14(2):135-49. doi: 10.1007/s40258-015-0202-5.