How can closed connections improve my patient outcomes?
What are open and closed connections?
A connection is a point where any 2 luers (e.g., syringe, catheter hub, infusion set, or three-way stopcock) join within a system.1 These are typically used for infusion therapy, or to access points where drugs or fluids can be delivered.1 A connection can be accessed and manipulated multiple times over the life of the line.2 Depending upon the components used, a connection is either open or closed.3
Open connections
An "open" system uses components (e.g. stopcocks) that require some form of closure (e.g. caps) to reduce entry of microbial contamination into the lumen.3,4
Clinical risks of open systems may include:
- Microbial ingress4
- Air embolism5
- Exsanguination6
- Increased clinical burden and cost associated with complications7,8
Why upgrade from open to closed connections?
Closed connections can help you reduce the risk of catheter-related complications, increase patient satisfaction, and improve the quality of care.3,9,10,11 To learn how, select a role.
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Did You Know?
Central venous access devices are a common source of hospital-acquired bloodstream infections.
These infections can increase the odds of patient mortality up to 2.75X.12
The Clinical Value:
Upgrading from an open IV connection device to a needle-free connector (NFC) can help reduce the risk of bloodstream infections (CLABSI/CRBSI).*
CLABSI rates reduction by up to 90% after implementation of a NFC (BD SmartSite™, BD Q-Syte™, BD MaxZero™) when combined with standard hand hygiene, disinfection and flushing best practices.3,13,14,15
Watch an educational webinar
Safe connections in vascular access management
Understand the technology of safe connections and explain their use
Access BD Clinical evidence compendium on safe connections using closed systems (NFC)
In Safe connections for infusion therapy: Clinical evidence compendium, you will read about 14 studies evaluating the effect of closed IV connection devices versus open IV connection devices, with results concerning catheter-related complications, hospital costs, and user/patient experience.
Fill out this form to access the replay and download our NFC Clinical evidence compendium
