Medicine:Needleless connector
In medicine, a needleless connector connects to the end of vascular catheters and enable catheter access for infusion and aspiration.[1] Needleless connectors (also known as NC's) were developed to reduce needlestick injuries, which occurs when the skin is accidentally punctured by a used needle.[2] Needlestick injuries can be very serious and potentially expose a healthcare professional to bloodborne infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.[3][4] The needless connector should provide safe access to the catheter without the use of needles and enable the following:[citation needed]
- Minimize catheter occlusion risk.
- Allow for easy and effective decontamination between each use to prohibit microbial entry e.g. via a flat surface which is flush with the housing.
Before utilizing a needleless connector, it is important to properly disinfect the device to help prevent central line[5]–associated bloodstream infection.[6]
Various designs for the needless connector and its components have been developed over the years. This includes a patent developed by Karl Leinsing for "needleless connector" which relates generally to connectors of the type used in the handling and administration of parenteral fluids, and more particularly, to a valve mechanism incorporated within such connector for~~enabling a fluid interconnection to be made therewith without the use of a sharp cannula.[7]
See also
- Medical device
- French catheter scale
- Gastrostomy
- G-Tube
- Jejunostomy
- Stent
References
- ↑ Curran, Evonne (September 2016). "Needleless connectors: the vascular access catheter's microbial gatekeeper". Journal of Infection Prevention 17 (5): 234–240. doi:10.1177/1757177416657164. ISSN 1757-1774. PMID 28989484.
- ↑ "Needlestick injury | betterhealth.vic.gov.au" (in en). http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ConditionsAndTreatments/needlestick-injury.
- ↑ "Bloodborne Infectious Diseases: HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C" (in en-us). 2013-11-19. http://www.medmngmt.online.
- ↑ "CDC - Bloodborne Infectious Diseases - Emergency Needlestick Information - NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic" (in en-us). 2018-11-21. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/bbp/emergnedl.html.
- ↑ "Central line infections - hospitals: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia" (in en). https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000474.htm.
- ↑ Moureau, Nancy L.; Dawson, Robert B. (December 2010). "Needleless connector know-how" (in en-US). Nursing Management 41 (12): 40–41. doi:10.1097/01.NUMA.0000390461.26871.25. ISSN 0744-6314. PMID 21116154. https://dx.doi.org/10.1097%2F01.NUMA.0000390461.26871.25.
- ↑ "Needleless connector" (in en). 25 April 1996. https://patents.google.com/patent/CA2175021C/en.
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