Hospital-acquired infections like central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) can have devastating consequences. For one large trauma center, rising CLABSI rates in early 2023 signaled an urgent need for action. Despite rigorous training, checklist protocols, and staff education, the problem persisted. The turning point? The introduction of a small but mighty solution: gum mastic liquid adhesive (Mastisol Liquid Adhesive).

At the heart of the issue was central venous access device (CVAD) dressing integrity. If a dressing lifts, it risks exposure of the catheter site to microorganisms, significantly increasing the risk of infection.¹ Staff reported that dressings often failed prematurely due to bleeding at insertion sites or poor adhesive performance, leaving vulnerable patients at risk.

While implementing a standardized CLABSI prevention bundle was a step in the right direction, it wasn’t enough. The missing piece was finding an adhesive solution that could stand up to the realities of a busy hospital setting without causing harm to patients’ skin.

The facility tested Mastisol as part of a broader dressing integrity initiative. The adhesive was applied during dressing changes to secure the edges and protect the insertion site. It quickly became clear that this wasn’t just another adhesive—it was a game changer.

The results spoke volumes²:

• Improved Adherence: Dressing integrity jumped by 33.5%, reducing the likelihood of premature dressing failure.
• Longer Dressing Life: Dressing life increased by a staggering 140.7%, meaning fewer dressing changes and less disruption for patients.
• CLABSI Reduction: There was a statistically significant reduction in monthly CLABSI rates after the intervention was implemented.
• No MARSI: One of the most reassuring outcomes was that no cases of medical adhesive-related skin injuries (MARSI) were reported.

Unlike some adhesives, Mastisol is non-water soluble. It forms a strong, flexible bond that adapts to the skin’s movement. This adaptability proved critical in maintaining dressing integrity over time, even in high-risk environments like trauma and intensive care units.

For patients with sensitive or fragile skin, MARSI is always a concern when using adhesives. However, Mastisol’s compatibility with an adhesive remover ensured safe and gentle removal, keeping patients comfortable while preserving their skin’s health.

After proving successful in pilot units, the facility expanded the use of Mastisol to all units by October 2023. Since then, CLABSI rates have plummeted, with only one reported case in the months following the rollout.

Want to know more about the science behind this approach? Check out the full study here.

One of the biggest takeaways from this initiative is the critical importance of knowing your facility’s dressing adherence rate. Best practice guidelines recommend that dressings stay intact for up to seven days, but when adherence fails, it increases the risk of contamination, infection, and costly complications like CLABSI.³

Without assessing dressing adherence, it’s hard to pinpoint the root causes of failures. Is it due to insertion location, bleeding at the insertion site, or the dressing itself? Identifying these factors is essential to finding the right solution—like Mastisol—that keeps dressings secure while preserving patient skin.

Your Eloquest Healthcare representative can help you complete a Point Prevalence Dressing Adherence Assessment to better understand your current adherence rate and uncover potential issues. This simple, beside rounding assessment can be used to analyze a variety of devices and dressings, giving your team valuable data to understand current challenges and improve outcomes.

Request a Point Prevalence Assessment here.