The efficacy and safety of MICROMAT as an intravenous site infection protector

Abstract

The introduction of intravenous (IV) line access into hospitalized patients has become a common procedure. Over the past decades increasing numbers of patients have required an IV line for longer periods of time. This has exposed the patients to potential complications such as a local external infection at the IV site. So far, no consensus regarding the optimal preventive measures has been reached. The Micromat pad is a newly developed device consisting of a double-sided wound contact layer absorbent laminate with chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) 2% solution, which is placed on the skin below the IV line. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the Micromat pad, we performed a double-blind controlled prospective trial. All admitted patients who needed peripheral or central venous catheterization entered the study; 129 patients were enrolled in the study and 130 were evaluable. Thirty of 71 patients (42%) in the control group had positive cultures compared with only 12 of 59 patients (20%) in the study group (p <0.05). There was no difference between the groups in patients with diabetes mellitus (but we cannot discuss its significance because of the small numbers in the subgroups). Cost-effectiveness analysis was also in favour of the Micromat pad. Prophylactic disinfection treatment of the local IV site by the use of external Micromat pads for intravenous devices is probably effective as well as cost-effective. However, large-scale studies are required in order to confirm these results.