Stickers used for identification of intravenous lines may be a source of contamination

Abstract

This study assessed in an in vitro model the effect of 2% alcohol clorhexidine for the disinfection of stickers used for intravenous line identification. Nonadhesive sticker sides were associated with higher numbers of colony-forming units when manipulation was performed without 2% alcohol clorhexidine disinfection. Future clinical studies are needed to validate these data and design policies for daily sticker disinfection.

Keywords: 2% alcohol clorhexidine; Central venous catheter; Intravenous therapy; In vitro contamination; Microbial colonization; Microbial reservoir.