Closed system for the safe management of intravenous fluids and the reduction of healthcare-associated bloodstream infections

Abstract

Introduction: the use of closed infusion systems for the administration of intravenous fluids has shown a notable impact on reducing Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI); however, their adoption in Chile remains limited. Objective: This study aimed to assess the role of closed infusion systems in preventing CLABSI. Methods: a rapid literature review was conducted, consulting databases such as Web of Science, SCOPUS, PubMed, SciELO, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, and BVS. The searches were carried out in the Spanish, English, and Portuguese languages; only studies with a quantitative approach were included, with no time limit and that answered the research question. The Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care criteria were utilized to analyze the level of evidence and grade of recommendation. Results: out of the nine articles reviewed, 11 % presented Level IA evidence, and 88,9 % presented evidence and a recommendation grade of IIB, indicating that patients receiving intravenous fluids through open containers are at a two to five times higher risk of developing CLABSI compared to those using closed systems. Conclusion: the employment of closed systems for the administration of intravenous fluids via CVC is associated with a significantly lower risk of acquiring CLABSI compared to the use of open systems. This finding underscores the necessity of promoting the use of closed infusion technologies as a preventative measure in the clinical setting