Contamination of Intravenous Infusion Fluid: Effects of Changing Administration Sets

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Abstract
Daily change of i.v. infusion administration sets has been recommended by the Center for Disease Control [Atlanta, Georgia, USA] since 1973 to reduce the risk of infusion bacteremia. To evaluate this recommendation, a prospective, randomized, controlled trial compared the rates of i.v.-associated bacteremia, in-use i.v. fluid contamination and phlebitis in 300 patients whose administration sets were changed every 24 h with those in 300 patients whose administration sets were changed every 48 h. No i.v.-associated bacteremia occurred. Of 600 infusions, 12 (2%) had positive infusion-fluid cultures: 5 in one group and 7 in the other. Both groups had comparable rates of phlebitis. In this study population with low rates of fluid contamination, no benefit accrued from changing the administration sets every 2 h instead of every 48 h. In hospitals with low rates of fluid contamination, the routine changing of i.v. administration sets every 48 h results in substantial financial savings.

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