Vascular Access Port Protector Reduces Contamination Risk

A new cap for open female Luer connectors ensures that all intraluminal vascular access points can be protected through passive disinfection.

The 3M Curos Stopper--part of the 3M Curos disinfecting port protector family--is a single-use, bright red cap that contains a 70% isopropyl alcohol (IPA) reservoir to disinfect the port against several microorganisms commonly associated with central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI), such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans. It is indicated for use on open female Luers, such as stopcocks and catheter hubs, providing timesaving, consistent, and reliable disinfection, while keeping ports protected from contamination when not in use.

Curos Stopper caps come in single form for home use and in ancillary areas where intravenous (IV) poles are not commonly used, and in strip form to facilitate staff compliance with port disinfection. Each cap can disinfect a port in just one minute, providing protection for up to seven days (if not removed). Curos Stoppers are designed to fit a wide range of stopcocks and hemodialysis catheter hubs and offer a way to hold pressure while providing fast, passive disinfection to critical areas. The 3M Curos disinfecting port protector family also includes passive disinfection solutions for needleless connectors, male Luers, and Tego hemodialysis connectors.

“3M is committed to helping clinicians reduce infections. We have the science to deliver evidence-based solutions that help protect patient safety, reduce the risks of costly complications, improve patient outcomes and, in turn, reduce care delivery costs,” said Pat Parks, MD, PhD, medical director in the 3M critical and chronic care solutions division. “Adding Curos Stopper caps to our innovative IV care portfolio brings us one step closer to helping clinicians protect every patient’s vascular catheter, from insertion to removal.”

CLABSI is defined as a primary bloodstream infection in a patient who had a central line in place within 48 hours before the development of the infection. Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) and patients receiving hemodialysis are the most vulnerable, and it is estimated that 250,000 CLABSI occur annually, associated with mortality rates of 10-20%. Passive disinfection caps for needleless connectors have been shown to reduce the risk of CLABSI, and also eliminate the variability encountered by human scrubbing.