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SnapCap: a device to decontaminate central venous catheters (CVC) with 5 snaps
Phone: (215) 801-5143
Email: brian.polizzotti@childrens.harvard.edu
Phone: (401) 351-4890
Email: snapcap@contechmedical.com
Address:
Type: Domestic Nonprofit Research Organization
Project Summary Abstract
We propose a new approach to the decontamination of central venous catheters and the prevention of
central line associated bloodstream infectionsCLABSIan important healthcare associated infectionCLABSIs cost the US healthcare system approximately $billion annuallyPronovostNEJMAdditionallyCLABSIs can be life threateningespecially in the very young and critically illEven when treated
appropriatelythey can result in endocarditismeningitisbone and joint infectionsMost centers recommend
toscrub the hubof a central venous catheterCVCforseconds using aisopropyl alcohol pad
prior to each usee gadministration of an intravenous medicationIn the busy workflow of an intensive care
unit or hospital wardcompliance with these recommendations is inconsistentInsteadSnapCap is a
patenteddisposable device that houses a compressible alcohol soaked foam between non circumferential
female luer threads inside of a plastic housingTo decontaminate a NCa provider engages the SnapCap
threads onto the NC and turns ittimeseach time an audible and tangible clickas well as a squeak of the
NC against an alcohol soaked sponge contained within itThis decontamination process changes the focus
from the clock to the patientis fastsecondsis easy to perform and appliesX the scrubbing force
relative to manual scrubbingPreliminary tests on prototypes have demonstrated equivalent reduction in
bacterial load as asecond manual scrubThe research team from Boston Children s Hospital has
partnered with a small business concern with extensive expertise in medical device manufacturingContech
Medicalto produce a near final cap designTogetherwe propose the following aimsAimTo determine the maximum reductioni elog reductionin pathogen load from NCs contaminated with
known CLABSI pathogensincluding antimicrobial resistant organismsusing the SnapCap as intendedsnapscompared with the current standard of careconservativelyasecond alcohol scrubAimIn a series of simulated clinical scenariosto compare the compliance with cleaning recommendations
between the current standard of care and using SnapCap as intendede gsnapssubaimaand to obtain
user experience feedback with SnapCap from bedside nursessubaimbAimTo complete a biological evaluation of the SnapCap device according to ISOstandardsincluding cytotoxicitysensitizationcutaneous sensitivityand hemocompatibility testingIf successfulthis work would demonstrate that this efficient approach to catheter decontamination is equally
effective in removing the bacterial load from a CVC and improves compliance with cleaning recommendationsDue to the importance of CVC decontamination in CLABSI preventionthis device may decrease the incidence
of CLABSI and reduce healthcare costsSubsequent work would includek approval and manufacturing Project Narrative
Central line associated bloodstream infectionsCLABSIare a major healthcare problemcaused in part by
bacteria which reside on a catheter and are injected into the bloodstreamWe propose an alternative to the
current approach to cleaning a central line prior to use that is easyefficientand cost effectiveIf successfulthis device would decrease the incidence of CLABSIimprove patient outcomesand decrease healthcare
costs
* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *