Changing i.v. administration sets: is 48 versus 24 hours safe for neutropenic patients with cancer? A randomized trial of 72- versus 24-hour intravenous tubing set changes in newborns receiving lipid therapy. Prospective study of replacing administration sets for intravenous therapy at 48- vs 72-hour intervals. 72 hours is safe and cost-effective. Changing parenteral nutrition administration sets every 24 h versus every 48 h in newborn infants. Routine changing of intravenous administration sets does not reduce colonization or infection in central venous catheters. Optimal frequency of changing intravenous administration sets: is it safe to prolong use beyond 72 hours? Impact of pharmacy counseling on compliance and effectiveness of combination lipid-lowering therapy in patients undergoing coronary artery revascularization: a randomized, controlled trial. Contamination of intravenous infusion systems--the effect of changing administration sets. Intravenous tubing containing burettes can be safely changed at 72 hour intervals.
To examine the effects of changing i.v. administration sets at 48 versus 24 hours on the incidence of infusion-related septicemia in neutropenic patients with cancer.
                Prospective, randomized clinical trial with repeated measures.
                Large urban cancer center.
                50 adult inpatients with a primary diagnosis of hematologic malignancy, breast cancer, or testicular cancer or who were receiving a stem cell transplant.
                Subjects were assigned randomly to have their i.v. sets changed every 48 or 24 hours. Subjects continued in the study for a maximum of five measurements, until they were no longer neutropenic, or until transferred or discharged from the hospital.
                Rates of infusate colonization, microorganisms identified, incidence of infusion-related septicemia.
                Colonized infusate was detected in 18 (5%) of 413 i.v. sets; 9 (5%) of 177 sets were changed at 48 hours, and 9 (4%) of 236 sets were changed at 24 hours (p > 0.05). A trend toward increased colonization of i.v. sets used to administer parenteral nutrition (19%) and, to a lesser extent, electrolytes (9%) was identified in the 48-hour group. Coagulase-negative staphylococci were the most frequently isolated microorganisms in the i.v. infusate. Similar organisms were isolated from blood cultures and administration sets, however, no subject had identical organisms isolated from both i.v. infusate and blood cultures. No subject with colonized infusate developed infusion-related septicemia.
                No difference existed in the incidence of colonization or infusion-related septicemia between subjects whose i.v. administration sets were changed at 48 versus 24 hours.
                Changing i.v. administration sets every 48 hours is recommended. Exceptions to this include i.v. administration sets used to administer blood products and total parenteral nutrition. To compare the microbial contamination rate of infusate in the intravenous tubing of newborns receiving lipid therapy, replacing the intravenous delivery system at 72-hour versus 24-hour intervals.
                Infants requiring intravenous lipid therapy were randomly assigned to have intravenous sets changed on a 72- or a 24-hour schedule, in a 3:1 ratio, in order to compare the infusate contamination rates in an equivalent number of tubing sets.
                A 35-bed, teaching, referral, neonatal intensive-care unit (NICU).
                All neonates admitted to the NICU for whom intravenous lipid was ordered.
                Patients were randomized in pharmacy, on receipt of the order for intravenous lipid therapy, to either 72- or 24-hour administration set changes, and followed until 1 week after discontinuation of lipids or discharge from the NICU. Microbial contamination of the infusate was assessed in both groups at the time of administration set changes. Contamination rates were analyzed separately for the lipid and amino acid-glucose tubing sets. Patient charts were reviewed for clinical and epidemiological data, including birth weight, gestational age, gender, age at start of lipid therapy, duration of parenteral nutrition, and type of intravenous access.
                During the study period, 1,101 and 1,112 sets were sampled in the 72- and 24-hour groups, respectively. Microbial contamination rates were higher in the 72-hour group than the 24-hour group for lipid infusions (39/1,101 [3.54%] vs 15/1,112 [1.35%]; P=.001) and for amino acid infusions (12/1,093 [1.10%] vs 4/1,103 [0.36%]; P=.076). Logistic regression analysis controlling for birth weight, gestational age, and type of venous access showed that only the tubing change interval was significantly associated with lipid set contaminations (odds ratio, 2.69; P=.0013). The rate of blood cultures ordered was higher in the 72- versus the 24-hour group (6.11 vs 4.99 per 100 patient days of total parenteral nutrition; P=.017), and a higher proportion of infants randomized to the 72-hour group died (8% vs 4%; P=.05), although the excess deaths could not clearly be attributed to bacteremia.
                Microbial contamination of infusion sets is significantly more frequent with 72- than with 24-hour set changes in neonates receiving lipid solutions. This may be associated with an increased mortality rate. We prospectively studied the safety of replacing intravenous delivery systems, including those used in total parenteral nutrition, at 72- compared with 48-hour intervals in 487 patients. Although the prevalence of contamination of intravenous fluid was higher in administration sets replaced at 72-hour intervals (10/664, 1.5%) than in sets replaced every 48 hours (6/710, 0.8%), the difference is not statistically significant. Contamination in both groups was almost exclusively with small numbers of coagulase-negative staphylococci (range, 1 to 27 colony-forming units/mL); no contaminated infusion was associated with clinical signs of sepsis or concordant bacteremia. Contaminants were recovered less frequently from peripheral venous infusions (0.6%) than from infusions used for central venous access or hemodynamic monitoring (1.5%) or total parenteral nutrition (3.6%); infusions in an intensive care unit were more frequently contaminated (2.5%) than infusions on medical and surgical wards (0.9%). These data indicate that extrinsic contamination of intravenous fluid is a rare cause of endemic nosocomial septicemia, and for most infusions it is unnecessary to routinely replace delivery systems more frequently than every 72 hours. To determine whether changing total parenteral nutrition fluid administration sets (TAS) every 48 h rather than every 24 h results in a greater infusate contamination rate.
                Prospectively, 166 infants were assigned at random to have TAS changed either every 24 h or every 48 h. Samples of the infusate were cultured to determine contamination rates of the infusate in the sets and were tested from 149 of these infants. TAS was replaced every 24 h in the control group, and 445 amino acid plus dextrose solutions (AADS) and 449 lipid emulsions samples were taken for bacterial culture. Fungal cultures were also performed on 449 samples. The study group had TAS replaced every 48 h, and 454 samples of AADS were cultured for bacteria. The numbers of lipid emulsion samples sent for bacterial culture and fungal culture were 449 and 440, respectively. Information on type of intravenous access device, administration of antibiotics and blood cultures was also collected.
                There was no difference in bacterial contamination rates for AADS or lipid emulsion from TAS changed every 24 or 48 h (c2, P>0.05). Lipid emulsion sampled from the 24 h group showed a statistically significant higher rate of fungal contamination than specimens from the 48 h group (P<0.01).
                Changing TAS every 48 h versus 24 h does not increase the contamination rate of infusate in newborns. To determine the effect of routine intravenous (IV) administration set changes on central venous catheter (CVC) colonization and catheter-related bacteremia.
                Prospective, randomized, controlled trial.
                Eighteen-bed intensive care unit (ICU) in a large metropolitan hospital.
                Two hundred fifty-one patients with 404 chlorhexidine gluconate and silver sulfadiazine-coated multi-lumen CVCs.
                CVCs inserted in the ICU and in situ on day 4 were randomized to have their IV administration sets changed on day 4 (n = 203) or not at all (n = 201). Use of fluid containers and blood product administration sets was limited to 24 hours. CVCs were removed when not required, infection was suspected, or in place on day 7. Catheter cultures were performed on removal by blinded laboratory staff. Catheter-related bacteremia was diagnosed by a blinded intensivist using strict definitions. Data were collected regarding catheter duration, site, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score, patient age, diagnosis, hyperglycemia, hypoalbuminemia, immune status, number of fluid containers and IV injections, and administration of propofol, blood, total parenteral nutrition, or lipid infusion.
                There were 10 colonized CVCs in the group receiving a set change and 19 in the group not receiving one. This difference was not statistically significant on Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. There were 3 cases of catheter-related bacteremia per group. Logistic regression found that burns diagnosis and increased ICU stay significantly predicted colonization.
                IV administration sets can be used for 7 days in patients with short-term, antiseptic-coated CVCs. To determine the safety and cost-effectiveness of replacing the intravenous (IV) tubing sets in hospitalized patients at 4- to 7-day intervals instead of every 72 hours.
                Prospective, randomized study of infusion-related contamination associated with changing IV tubing sets within 3 days versus within 4 to 7 days of placement.
                A tertiary university cancer center.
                Cancer patients requiring IV infusion therapy were randomized to have the IV tubing sets replaced within 3 days (280 patients) or within 4 to 7 days of placement (232 patients). Demographic, microbiological, and infusion-related data were collected for all participants. The main outcome measures were infusion- or catheter-related contamination or colonization of IV tubing, determined by quantitative cultures of the infusate, and infusion- or catheter-related bloodstream infection (BSI), determined by quantitative culture of the infusate in association with blood cultures in febrile patients.
                The two groups were comparable in terms of patient and catheter characteristics and the agents given through the IV tubing. Intent-to-treat analysis demonstrated a higher level of tubing colonization in the 4- to 7-day group versus the 3-day group (median, 145 vs 50 colony-forming units; P=.02). In addition, there were three episodes of possible infusion-related BSIs, all of which occurred in the 4- to 7-day group (P=.09). However, when the 84 patients who received total parenteral nutrition, blood transfusions, or interleukin-2 through the IV tubing were excluded, the two groups had a comparable rate of colonization (0.4% vs 0.5%), with no catheter- or infusion-related BSIs in either group.
                In patients at low risk for infection from infusion- or catheter-related infection who are not receiving total parenteral nutrition, blood transfusions, or interleukin-2, delaying the replacement of IV tubing up to 7 days may be safe, as well as cost-effective This randomized, controlled trial evaluated the impact of personalized follow-up on compliance rates in high-risk patients receiving combination lipid-lowering therapy over 2 years. A random sample of 30 patients 7-30 days after cardiac surgery had baseline fasting low-density lipoprotein levels higher than 130 mg/dl. All patients received lovastatin 20 mg/day and colestipol 5 g twice/day. Weekly telephone contact was made with each patient for 12 weeks. Short- and long-term compliance was assessed by pill and packet counts and refill records. Compliance and lipid profile results were significantly better in the intervention group (p<0.05) up to 2 years after the start of therapy than in the control group for all parameters except high-density lipoprotein. However, this effect was not apparent during the first 12 weeks of therapy. Short-term telephone follow-up favorably affected compliance and lipid profile results up to 2 years after start of therapy. Intravenous administration sets were changed at varying time intervals between every 24 h and 120 h in 387 patients. The rates of intraluminal contamination of the cannulae and of local inflammation were measured in relation to the time interval between changing sets. There was no correlation between phlebitis and intraluminal contamination, but a significant association was found between phlebitis and fever, infusion of potassium at greater than 10 mmol l-1, Venflon type 140 and infusion of blood or intralipid. No correlation was found between septicaemia and intraluminal contamination of the infusion systems. Contamination of cannulae increased slightly with time, but this was not statistically significant. We conclude that there will be no clinical benefit by daily changing of administration sets, compared with changing up to every fifth day. No studies testing the safety of changing intravenous systems containing in-line burettes at 72 hours in an intensive care setting have been performed. Patients entering a medical or surgical intensive care unit were alternatively assigned to have any line with an in-line burette changed at either 48 hour (105 patients) or 72 hour (65 patients) intervals. Daily quantitative cultures with a 2 ml aliquot of burette fluid were obtained. Contaminated burette fluid was detected in 60 of 1181 (5.0%, 95% confidence interval, 3.7% to 6.3%) samples from the burettes changed at 48 hour intervals, and in 40 of 901 (4.4%, 95% confidence interval, 3.0% to 5.8%) samples from 72 hour interval burettes. Significant bacterial contamination of burette fluid, defined as ten or more colonies per milliliter, occurred in only seven (0.6%) cultures from patients in the 48 hour interval group compared with only three (0.3%) cultures in the 72 hour group. None of the contaminated burette fluids was associated with a primary bacteremia. Change of in-line burettes in patients in intensive care at 72-hour intervals is safe and should result in substantial cost savings to hospitals.
It appears that administration sets that do not contain lipids, blood or blood products may be left in place for intervals of up to 96 hours without increasing the incidence of infection. There was no evidence to suggest that administration sets which contain lipids should not be changed every 24 hours as currently recommended.