Intravenous connectors are the gatekeepers of the intraluminal pathway. Intraluminal pathway contamination is responsible for 50% of catheter-related bloodstream infections. Intravenous connectors have been associated with catheter occlusions. Contamination and occlusions are associated with an annual cost of $30 billion. Protection of the intraluminal pathway is one significant way to eliminate occlusions and catheter-related bloodstream infections; utilization of the best available product(s) will aid in improving patient outcomes. The Food & Drug Administration in July 2010 began requiring companies to conduct post-market surveillance on positive connectors to assess whether they may be associated with a higher rate of catheter-related bloodstream infections. Currently, there are > 20 needleless intravenous connectors on the US market. Nurses need independent comparative data on products they use in their healthcare system to translate that data into policy for use of the best clinical product(s), which will protect the patient and prevent infection. The Healthcare And Technology Synergy (HATS) model (Chernecky & Macklin, 2010) includes patient, product and practice (Figure 1).

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