Maintaining a sterile field during catheter insertion is a cornerstone of patient safety. Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) and other catheter-related infections pose serious risks, leading to longer hospital stays, increased healthcare costs, and even life-threatening complications. Despite advances in infection prevention, infection rates remain unacceptably high in many clinical settings.¹ This highlights the importance of adhering to rigorous aseptic techniques and ensuring every element—from preparation to dressing securement—contributes to reducing contamination risks.

Aseptic Non Touch Technique (ANTT®) is a method designed to minimize the risk of contamination during invasive procedures, such as catheter insertions, and it is recommended in the Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice.² The key principle behind ANTT is to avoid touching ‘key parts’ and ‘key sites’—those critical components and anatomical sites that, if contaminated, could introduce pathogens directly into the bloodstream.

By following ANTT, healthcare providers use a combination of sterile equipment, carefully controlled handling practices, and standardized processes to protect patients. Proper implementation of ANTT has been linked to reduced infection rates and improved patient outcomes.³ One crucial aspect of this approach is assembling a comprehensive sterile kit containing all necessary materials organized to facilitate aseptic handling, ensuring the insertion site remains free from contamination throughout the procedure.

Procedure kits more easily enable the aseptic approach by gathering all necessary tools and materials into a sterile package, simplifying the process and supporting adherence to protocol.⁴ However, not all materials sterilize equally well with traditional methods. Ethylene oxide (EtO) gas sterilization is used for 50% of medical devices and is the preferred method for dressings and catheters.⁵ However, EtO does have limitations. For example, EtO gas does not easily penetrate certain materials, including glass vials that may contain adhesive solutions like Mastisol®. Using the EtO method, the applicator of Mastisol is sterile, but the liquid contained within it is not. Overcoming this challenge requires innovation in sterilization technology.

Eloquest Healthcare continuously seeks innovative ways to enhance clinical outcomes. As a part of this commitment, the company has recently adopted electron beam (E-beam) sterilization. This sterilization technology uses high-energy electrons to destroy microorganisms, achieving rapid and uniform sterilization. Unlike EtO, E-beam sterilization effectively penetrates most packaging materials uniformly. This includes glass vials, ensuring the entire Mastisol product is sterile without compromising its adhesive effectiveness. Additionally, E-beam sterilization is a more environmentally responsible option. It eliminates the toxic residues associated with EtO and reduces processing time, making it more efficient.⁶ This forward-thinking approach aligns with the increasing demands for safer, more sustainable healthcare solutions.

Mastisol Liquid Adhesive has been a trusted product for many years, largely due to efficacy and versatility. Notably, Mastisol has never been implicated in contamination leading to a patient infection. It is compatible with chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) and does not diminish CHG’s antiseptic effectiveness.⁷ While it has always been safe for use in a sterile field, with the adoption of E-beam sterilization clinicians can be confident that the Mastisol liquid contained within the applicator vial is sterile. Mastisol packaging will now include a mark to indicate its sterility.

Preventing catheter-related infections requires meticulous attention to every detail of the insertion process, from hand hygiene to the dressing application. Maintaining intact dressings is essential to protecting patients and reducing healthcare-associated infections.⁸ Sterile, thoughtfully designed procedure kits provide the tools clinicians need to implement ANTT effectively. Mastisol, long trusted for dressing securement, now benefits from an advanced sterilization process that supports even the most stringent aseptic protocols. Together, these innovations help healthcare providers uphold the highest standards of patient care, ensuring safety and reducing the risk of infection at every step.

Eloquest Healthcare is committed to providing solutions that help improve vascular access dressing securement and decrease complications while reducing unnecessary costs. Mastisol® Liquid Adhesive is designed to enhance dressing adherence and minimize the risk of infection.

For more information about Mastisol®, please call 1‐877‐433‐7626 or complete this form.