Economic impact of alcohol-impregnated disinfecting caps on CLABSI rates
Abstract:
Background: Totally implantable venous access devices are essential for long-term care in pediatric cancer patients, but they can cause catheter-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs). While central line bundles have proven effective in preventing CLABSIs in inpatient settings, data on adjunct prevention strategies, such as 70% isopropyl alcohol-impregnated disinfecting caps, in ambulatory pediatric oncology patients are limited.
Objective: To assess the impact of 70% isopropyl alcohol-impregnated disinfecting caps on the rate and cost of CLABSIs in ambulatory pediatric hematology-oncology patients with ports.
Methods: This study compared 2 distinct periods at an outpatient clinic: control group (n=58) and a study group using 70% isopropyl alcohol-impregnated disinfecting caps (n=34). The primary outcome was the CLABSI rate per 1000 catheter-days. Secondary outcomes included attributable health care costs and cost-effectiveness analysis.
Results: The CLABSI rate was 13.55/1000 catheter-days in the control group and 2.05/1000 catheter-days in the study group, reflecting an 84.9% reduction. The cost analysis demonstrated that the intervention was cost-effective, with estimated savings ranging from $2637.68 to $10,916.67 and a return on investment of up to 9.641%.
Conclusion: Implementation of 70% isopropyl alcohol-impregnated disinfecting caps resulted in a substantial clinical reduction in ambulatory CLABSI incidence and yielded significant cost savings in this high-risk population.
Reference:
Devrim İ, Ergun D, Ozbakir H, Çiçek P, Uslu S, Dinc C, Oruc Y, Göktepe ŞŞÖ, Gündoğan BD, Özdemir HH, Demirag B, Oymak Y, Karapınar TH. Clinical and Economic Impact of 70% Isopropyl Alcohol-Impregnated Disinfecting Caps on CLABSI Rates in Ambulatory Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Patients. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2026 Sep 14. doi: 10.1097/MPH.0000000000003272. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 42743049.