Introduction: The performance   of a new safety peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) that contains a blood   control feature in the hub (blood control) was compared against the current   hospital standard without blood control (standard). 

Methods: In this prospective, non-blinded trial, patients were   randomized 1:1 to receive either device. Insertions were performed and rated   by emergency room nurses. Primary endpoints included clinical acceptability,   incidence of blood leakage, and risk of blood exposure. Secondary endpoints   were digital compression, insertion success, and usability. 

Results: 15 clinicians performed 152   PIVC insertions (73 blood control, 79 standard). Clinical acceptability of   the blood control device (100%) was non-inferior to the standard (98.7%) (p   < 0.0001). The blood control device had a lower incidence of blood leakage   (14.1% vs 68.4%), was superior in eliminating the risk of blood exposure   (93.9% vs 19.1%) and the need for digital compression (95.3% vs 19.1%), while   maintaining non-inferior insertion success rates (95.9% vs 93.7%) and   usability ratings (p < 0.0001). 

Discussion: In comparison with the hospital-standard, the new safety PIVC   with integrated blood control valve had similar clinical acceptability   ratings yet demonstrated superior advantages to both clinicians and patients   to decrease blood leakage and the clinician's risk of blood exposure, during   the insertion process.

Authors: Laura E. Seiberlich, Vanessa Keay, Stephane Kallos, Tiffany Junghans, Eddy Lang, Andrew D.McRae