Course Access
Dear Tim, dear Colleagues,
The use of 2% CHG with isopropanol versus 0.5 or 1% makes perfect biological and microbiological sense, but there are currently no data available from clinical trials (i.e. outcomes-based research) having compared the higher versus the lower concentration.
I wonder about the Solu IV swabsticks that are being mentioned. Earlier, in 2008, someone mentioned that they are not labelled as sterile. I looked into this a little further and contacted the Canadian headquarters, and they also stated that they are not sterile in a strict sense. It became obvious that the person from the headquarters who I was corresponding with had absolutely not the slightest clue about the concepts of sterility.
It is well known that alcohol products need to be filtered in the process of production, in order to exclude bacterial spores. This is a well-established standard process, and most companies just simply do it. A recent article in ICHE highlighted problems with alcohol pads where this apparently had not been done:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22669227
For items like the single-use swabsticks (soeaked with alcohol) that are packaged, I would assume (but I don’t know for certain) that the plastic sticks would have to be irradiated for sterility separately in the production process and the alcohol filtered (as stated above).
At the time, I ended up not following through with the correspondence (somewhat frustrated by the Canadian response), but I wonder if anyone from this list has looked at this issue (?).
Best regards, Matthias.
—
Matthias Maiwald, MD, FRCPA
Consultant in Microbiology
Adj. Assoc. Prof., Natl. Univ. Singapore
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital
100 Bukit Timah Road
Singapore 229899
Tel. +65 6394 8725 (Office)
Tel. +65 6394 1389 (Laboratory)
Fax +65 6394 1387
Robert,
We have done so and do so for EVERY IV device, not just PIVs.
2% CHG in 70% IPA – its all evidence based and there is plenty of literature to support it as well.
We previously used 0.5% CHG in 70% IPA.
We use Solu-IV swabsticks (tinted for insertion and clear for maintenance) and the large wipes.
Timothy R. Spencer, RN, APN, DipAppSci, Bach.Health, ICCert.
Clinical Nurse Consultant | Central Venous Access & Parenteral Nutrition Service
Conjoint Lecturer, University of NSW
Dept of Intensive Care, Level 2, Clinical Building, Liverpool Hospital, Elizabeth Street, Liverpool, 2170, NSW, Australia
Tel 02 8738 3603 | Fax 02 8738 3551 | Mob 0409 463 428 | Tim.Spencer@sswahs.nsw.gov.au | Timothy.Spencer@unsw.edu.au
[cid:075230600@15062012-16D7][cid:075230600@15062012-16DE]
________________________________
Good morning
I would like to know from those facilities who currently uses 70% Isopropyl alcohol v/v in 0.5% to 1% Chlorhexidine, and are moving towards or have now changed to using 2% Chlorhexidine in alcohol specifically for insertion of an Peripheral IVC.
I am aware of the current recommendations surrounding this but would like others comments on this matter.
regards
Robert Robinson
Clinical Nurse Consultant | Infection Control
Blacktown/Mt. Druitt Hospitals
Tel 02 9881 8994 | Mob 0408 923 789 | robert.robinson@swahs.health.nsw.gov.au
[http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/images/communications/e-signatures/images/NSW-Health-Western-Sydney-LHD.jpg]
___________________________________
Unless you are the intended recipient any unauthorised use, dissemination,further distribution or reproduction of this communication in any form whatsoever, is strictly prohibited.
If this communication has been sent to you in error, please notify the sender by return e-mail and delete and/or destroy your copy of this communication (including attachments).
Any views expressed in this communication are those of the individual sender, except where the sender states them to be the views of the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District/Western Sydney Local Health District.
Unless otherwise expressed, it is not represented, warranted or guaranteed that the integrity of this communication has been maintained nor that the communication is free of virus, errors or interference.
06/15/12 – 10:03:00
_____________________________________________________________________
This email has been scanned for the Sydney & South Western Sydney Local Health Districts by the MessageLabs Email Security System.
Sydney & South Western Sydney Local Health Districts regularly monitor email and attachments to ensure compliance with the NSW Ministry of Health’s Electronic Messaging Policy.
Messages posted to this list are solely the opinion of the authors, and do not represent the opinion of ACIPC.
Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives – registration and login required.
Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a new message send an email to aicalist@aicalist.org.au
To send a message to the list administrator send an email to aicalist-request@aicalist.org.au.
You can unsubscribe from this list be sending ‘signoff aicalist’ (without the quotes) to listserv@aicalist.org.au
Messages posted to this list are solely the opinion of the authors, and do not represent the opinion of ACIPC.
Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives – registration and login required.
Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a new message send an email to aicalist@aicalist.org.au
To send a message to the list administrator send an email to aicalist-request@aicalist.org.au.
You can unsubscribe from this list be sending ‘signoff aicalist’ (without the quotes) to listserv@aicalist.org.au
[cid:kkh29.gif]kkh
________________________________
The information contained in this e-mail and the attachments (if any) may be privileged and confidential and is intended solely for the named addressee. If you are not the intended recipient, please do not print, retain copy, disseminate, distribute, or use this e-mail or any part thereof. Please notify the sender immediately by replying to this e-mail and delete all copies of this e-mail and the attachments.
Messages posted to this list are solely the opinion of the authors, and do not represent the opinion of ACIPC.
Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives – registration and login required.
Replies to this message will be directed back to the list. To create a new message send an email to aicalist@aicalist.org.au
To send a message to the list administrator send an email to aicalist-request@aicalist.org.au.
You can unsubscribe from this list be sending ‘signoff aicalist’ (without the quotes) to listserv@aicalist.org.au