Background: In conjunction with Melbourne Health Product Review Committee, NWDS participated in a trial of the Tego™ connector ¹. This neutral pressure connector allows access for luer lock syringes and dialysis lines and reportedly reduces the opportunity for infection and air embolism. The Tego™ connector requires connection using a sterile procedure. Once in situ it can be accessed by disinfecting with an alcohol swab. This is seen as a procedural advantage due to the reduction in requirement for sterile equipment and reduced time for staff intervention.
Method: 12 in centre haemodialysis patients using a central venous catheter access were selected for a four-week study. Packaging, connections and procedural advantages were evaluated by questionnaire (supplied by Mayo Healthcare). The Tego™ connector was attached to each catheter lumen and changed weekly. Dialysis staff also evaluated connectivity, blood flow rate, venous pressure, line reversal and requirement for anti-thrombolytic agents and recorded the number of activations of the Tego™ connector per dialysis session.
Results: Staff evaluated the product by questionnaire using a 5-point Likert scale. 79% of staff (n=19) found the Tego™ connector to be better overall than the current connector. No difference was identified in blood flow rates, venous pressures, requirements for anti-thrombolytics or line reversal.
Conclusion: Tego™ demonstrated advantages in decreased connection time and ease of use without reduction in catheter function. 100% of staff wished to continue to use the Tego™ connector.