[Skin antisepsis with 0.05% sodium hypochlorite before the insertion of a peripheral venous catheter in adults, children and newborns]. / Utilizzo dell'ipoclorito di sodio 0.05% soluzione cutanea nella antisepsi della cute prima dell'inserimento del catetere venoso periferico in adulti, bambini e neonati.

INTRODUCTION: Antisepsis of the skin of adults, children and newborns before the insertion of a peripheral venous catheter (PVC) reduces the risk of catheter related infections (CRI). Data on the effectiveness of electrolytic sodium hypochlorite are missing. METHODS: An explorative study was conducted on children, adults and newborns admitted to hospital and with skin antisepsis with sodium hypoclorite 0.057g with active chlorine 0.055g in 100ml (Amukine Med®) to assess the level of contamination of PVC tips, as surrogate sign of infection. Quantitative methods were used and the catheter tip was considered colonized if >1000 CFU (colony forming Units)/catheter segment. RESULTS: In the sample of 42 adults, 51 children and 52 newborns, 16.7%, 7.8% and 3.8% of catheter tips were contaminated respectively. No catheter related phlebites were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Skin antisepsis with Amukine Med® seems effective in preventing CRIs but further comparative studies are needed with the antiseptics recommended by guidelines.