Clave^® Needlefree Connector

Industry leading needlefree technology designed to reduce the risk of bacterial contamination while improving both healthcare worker and patient safety.

Can be used on all peripheral, arterial, and central venous catheters.
Dedicated internal fluid path and reverse split-septum design.
A proven track record for assisting in the fight against CRBSI.¹
Saline flush option can eliminate the use of heparin.

Clave Needlefree Connector

Overview

The Clave's mechanically and microbiologically closed system helps protect the patient's catheter from contamination that can otherwise lead to bloodstream infections.

The Clave features a unique passive technology that cannot accept a needle, ensuring compliance with needlefree policies. The Clave can be used on all peripheral, arterial, and central venous catheters for the administration of IV fluids or medication, and can be used with blood products. No additional components or adapters are required to access the device, and no end caps are required for sterility. Featuring a dedicated internal fluid path, at no time does the internal fluid path come into contact with the exterior or outer housing of the Clave.

How it works

Unique features of the Clave that may help reduce the risk of bacterial contamination:

Split-septum is noted in the CDC guidelines as a preferred design feature for connectors.²
Straight fluid path allows for clearing of blood and blood residual with low flush volumes.³
Minimal deadspace (also referred to as residual volume) of 0.06 mL allows for lower flush volumes.
Flat smooth swabbable surface for ease of disinfection.
Allows a saline flush option, which can eliminate the risk of Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT).
Clamping sequence not required, reducing educational burden and risk of error.
Approved for use with power injectors.

Accessing the Fluid Path

When the Clave is not being accessed, the silicone seal forms a safe, swabbable barrier to bacterial ingress.
Upon luer access, the silicone seal is depressed and the fluid path windows are exposed through the device's split septum.
Fluid is either infused or aspirated through the connector and catheter via the dedicated straight internal fluid path.

Technical Specifications

Residual Volume: 0.06 mL

Flow Rate at Gravity: 185 mL / minute

Functional Activations: 600

Blood Compatibility: Yes

MRI Compatibility: Yes

Drug Compatibility

Alcohol: Yes

Lipids: Yes

Chlorhexidine: Yes

Chemotherapy: Yes

Educational Seminars & Presentations

Needle-free Connectors: Split Septum vs. Mechanical Valve…Can this classification model predict infection risk? By Marcia Ryder, PhD MS RN. APIC 2010 Satellite Symposium, Tuesday, July 13th, 2010. Running time: 1hr. 27min.
Click Here to View the Seminar >

References

Moore, C. RN, MBA, CIC; Landreth, R. RN; Maschmeier, C. MT, (ASCP) SM; Snyder, K. RN, MS, CCRN, CCSN; Prietley, G. RN, MSN, CCRN; Elliott, S. MD, FAAP. Siginificantly Decreased Rate of Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections (CR-BSIs) After Discontinuation of a Luer Access Device (LAD) at an Academic Medical Center. April 2009
Guideline for the Prevention of Intravascular Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections, Final Issue Review, May 17, 2010 (http://www.cdd.gov/hicpac/pdf/ BSI_guideline_IssuesMay17final.pdf).
Data on file at ICU Medical. Low Volume Flush Characteristics of Unique Needlefree Connectors M1-1223 Rev. 1.

Product Literature

Clave Needlfree Connector Brochure (287 KB)

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Clave Product Reference Poster (817 KB)

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Search Our Clinical Evidence Library

Publications

A Needleless Closed System Device (Clave®) Protects From Intravascular Catheter Tip and Hub Colonization: A Prospective Randomized Study (74 KB)
Bouza E., et al. Journal of Hospital Infection 2003; 54: 279–287

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The Potential for Catheter Microbial Contamination from a Needleless Connector (71 KB)
Brown J.D., et al. Journal of Hospital Infection 1997; 36:181-189

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Increased Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infection Rates After the Introduction of a New Mechanical Valve Intravenous Access Port (73 KB)
Maragakis L., Bradley K., et al. Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology 2006, vol. 27, no. 1; 67-70

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Clinical Reports

Bacterial Transfer Through NeedleFree Connectors: Comparison of Nine Different Connectors (73 KB)
Ryder M., et al. Presented at the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America Annual Scientific Meeting, April, 2007

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Significantly Decreased Rate of Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections After Discontinuation of a Luer Access Device At an Academic Medical Center (72 KB)
Moore C., et al. From posters presented at the 2009 SHEA and 2010 APIC Annual Meetings and Facing the Challenge of CR-BSIs. Managing Infection Control; November, 2009

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Evaluation of the Clave Technology and Resistance to Microbial Ingress (100 KB)
2008

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The Clave® connector: meeting functional specifications when exposed to high-risk infusates over a 72-hour period (71 KB)

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Product Reference

Disinfect to Protect

When placing a new Clave on a catheter, disinfect the catheter hub and prime the Clave.
Before accessing a Clave, always disinfect the injection site with the approved antiseptic per facility protocol.
Scrub the injection site in accordance with facility protocol for appropriate scrubbing and drying times.

Disinfect to Protect

Administer or Aspirate

Attach IV tubing, syringe or blood tube holder to Clave by inserting the luer and twisting ¼ turn, or until a friction fit is achieved.
Do not over-tighten a luer beyond the friction fit as this may damage both the luer and the Clave.
To disconnect, grasp Clave and then twist the mating luer counterclockwise away from Clave until loose. Do not hold catheter hub during disconnect as this may cause accidental removal of Clave from hub.

Administer or Aspirate

Flush After Each Use

Flush the Clave with normal saline or in accordance with facility protocol. After blood use, the Clave can be flushed clean and does not require change-out.
Use routine flushing in accordance with facility protocol in order to maintain catheter patency.
Change Clave in accordance with facility protocol and CDC guidelines.