Abstract:
OBJECTIVE To compare the efficacy of benzalkonium chloride solution and 0.5% iodophor + 75% alcohol in skin disinfection for midline catheter placement in patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy, and to analyze their preventive effects and clinical safety against catheter-related infections and allergic skin reactions.
METHODS A total of 160 patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy who received midline catheter placement at the oncology department of The First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital from Oct. 2024 to Jun. 2025 were included. They were randomly assigned to a intervention group (
n=80, receiving 0.10% benzalkonium chloride solution) and a control group (
n=80, receiving 0.5% iodophor + 75% alcohol) through a random number table method. The colony counts before and after disinfection at the puncture site, disinfection pass rate, disinfection time, rate of lifting or detachment of sterile transparent dressings 24 hours after catheter placement, incidence of skin allergic reactions and incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) were compared between the two groups.
RESULTS No statistically significant differences were observed in colony counts before and after disinfection, disinfection pass rate and incidence of CRBSI between the two groups. The disinfection time in the intervention group (3.20±0.80 minutes) was shorter than that in the control group (5.80±1.20 minutes) (
t=16.125,
P<0.001). The rate of lifting or detachment of dressings 24 hours after catheter placement in the intervention group was 8.75% (7/80), lower than that in the control group (23/80, 28.75%) (
χ2=10.502,
P=0.002). The incidence of skin allergic reactions in the intervention group was 2.50% (2/80), lower than that in the control group (11/80, 13.75%) (
χ2=6.781,
P=0.009).
CONCLUSIONS The use of 0.10% benzalkonium chloride solution for skin disinfection in midline catheter placement in patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy can reduce the risk of skin allergies, decrease dressing detachment and shorten disinfection time. It is equally effective as 0.5% iodophor + 75% alcohol in preventing CRBSI and offers superior safety.