25 August 2011 The Association of Aseptic Practice (ASAP) announced today that it endorses BD PosiFlush TM pre-filled saline syringe as a best practice medical device that has been designed to address specific problems in aseptic practice; namely, the contamination factor inherent in manually prepared flushes. This ready to use flushing device is one of the first products to be recognised as supporting The ASAP and Aseptic Non-Touch Technique (ANTT®) clinical framework.
The ASAP is committed to improving standards of aseptic technique in practice. Poor standards of aseptic technique can be a major cause of healthcare-acquired infections (HCAIs), such as MRSA and MSSA. The ASAP oversees the understanding and development of ANTT, a unique, widely recognised and adopted standardised approach to aseptic practice which has been shown to considerably help reduce HCAIs[1]. BD PosiFlush TM ensures that best aseptic practice is achieved and clinical procedure is not compromised.
Stephen Rowley, Clinical Director, ANTT UK / USA said, “Devices such as this help to standardise flushing practice, promote asepsis and improve catheter care. Simply put, BD Posiflush reduces the potential for flush contamination significantly.”
Typically, saline flushing is used in a number of circumstances, such as post insertion of vascular access devices (VADs)
– peripheral and central, access and checking patency of VADs, and pre and post flushing of IV medications and infusions. Three separate studies have demonstrated that approximately 8% of manually prepared flush syringes are contaminated prior to administration[2]. BD PosiFlush TM reduces the potential for contamination and HAIs, by reducing the number of procedure variables, improving the protection of key-parts and key-sites and shortening procedure times[3]. Aseptic practice defines the infection control method and precautions taken during invasive clinical procures to prevent the transfer of micro organisms from the healthcare worker, procedure equipment or the immediate environment to the patient. It is achieved by ensuring the asepsis of key-parts and key-sites[4].
About The ASAP and ANTT
The Association of Safe Aseptic Practice (The ASAP) is committed to improving standards of aseptic practice and technique in partnership with health care organisations, patient associations and government agencies. The ASAP promotes ANTT, a unique practice framework for aseptic practice. By demand, ANTT has become the defacto aseptic technique in the NHS, and is used widely internationally.
