A clinical project to evaluate reuse of a CAPD disconnect system minicap as a safe, effective practice.

The current health care environment is being driven by approaches to health care services that focus on quality and at the same time cost-effectiveness. With this in mind, a clinical project was designed to investigate the possibility of reusing the disconnect minicap as a safe, effective clinical practice. During a two-phase project, continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) disconnect caps were purposely touch contaminated and cultured before and after povodine iodine was instilled in the minicap. During the second phase of the project a simulated peritoneal effluent system was constructed and fluid cultures obtained. The specimen analyses demonstrated negative reports of the minicap after dwelling in povidine iodine and fluids after reuse of the minicap. The pilot project opens an area of research for nephrology nurses that could potentially lead to cost savings in the provision of care for patients with chronic renal failure.