PDI Prevantics Skin Antiseptics Proven to Help Facilities Reduce CLABSI Rates and Associated Costs

PDI, a leader in infection prevention products and solutions, continues to reinforce the importance of a complete infection prevention program for skin antisepsis. Prevantics® products are the first and only 3.15 percent Chlorhexidine Gluconate (w/v) and 70 percent Isopropyl Alcohol (v/v) formula which has been proven to deliver seven days of continued antimicrobial activity, aligning with dressing change protocols at many healthcare facilities.(1) The clinical efficacy of Prevantics® products are supported by more than 14 independent clinical studies, covering both adult and pediatric populations and spanning several practice areas. One medical center demonstrated a 59 percent reduction in central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) in the first year after improving practice in infection prevention and vascular access, coupled with the introduction of Prevantics® products to the practice bundle. A 100 percent reduction was achieved by year four.(2)

"Our clinical partners have come to know and expect high-quality, efficacious products from PDI that provide the most advanced evidence-based solutions to prevent the spread of infection and exceed all clinical guidelines requirements," says Hudson Garrett, PhD, MSN, MPH, FNP, CSRN, VA-BC, vice president of clinical affairs for PDI. "Prevantics® products are no exception, and our continual innovation in formulation and delivery systems has produced excellent and sustained results."

PDI also continues to provide support tools and clinical resources to help with implementation and ongoing compliance to facility and evidence-based protocols. Most recently, the company released new educational and training videos for Prevantics® products to help ensure proper use. The videos can be used for staff education during new-hire orientation, product implementation and periodic refreshers. In addition, instructions for use posters and product guides are also available for the product.

Prevantics® products are available in three sizes to accommodate varying types of procedures; 1.0 mL Swab, 1.6 mL Swabstick and 5.1 mL Maxi-Swabstick. The peel-apart packaging and unique pre-saturated applicator design make it easy to use. It contains no glass to break and does not require any activation wait time by the clinician. The Prevantics® products Swabstick and Maxi Swabstick also feature unique two-sided applicators designed for prepping around joints, inter-digital areas and skin folds. The company recently updated the product packaging with a cleaner and simpler look aimed at helping staff to easily identify the product.

Prevantics® products meet guidelines from leading regulatory agencies and industry associations such as the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Association for Vascular Access (AVA), Infusion Nurses Society (INS), Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA), and Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC). Current CDC Guidelines for the Prevention of Intravascular Catheter-Related Infections recommend the use of a > 0.5% chlorhexidine skin preparation with alcohol for antisepsis.(3)

Source: PDI

1. Swabstick and Maxi-Swabstick only

2. Matocha D and Montero M. A Process Improvement Approach to the Elimination of Central Line Associated Bloodstream Infections. Poster Presented at the Association for Vascular Access Annual Scientific Meeting, 2011.

3. O'Grady, Naomi, Alexander, Mary, et al. CDC Guidelines for the Prevention of Intravascular Catheter-Related Infections. Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011.