Standardization News

An ASTM International standard test method seeks to evaluate antimicrobial catheters to prevent bacterial colonization. ASTM International’s pesticides, antimicrobials, and alternative control agents committee (E35) is developing the proposed standard.

This proposed test method (WK74562) will specify the operational parameters required to assess the ability of antimicrobial urinary catheters to prevent or control bacterial biofilm growth. 

“Catheter-associated urinary tract infections are the most prevalent of the device-related infections, accounting for 37% of all hospital-acquired infections and 70% of all hospital-acquired urinary tract infections in the U.S.,” said Dr. Darla Goeres, research professor for the Center for Biofilm Engineering at Montana State University. “By providing a mechanism to assess innovative antimicrobial catheters, this standard test method will be key in helping prevent biofilm growth on catheters, thereby reducing infection rates.”

According to Dr. Goeres, chair of the committee, the test method will be found most useful by device manufacturers during the product design stage. It will provide preliminary information to determine if proposed designs demonstrate efficacy against biofilm bacteria. Dr. Goeres says regulators will also find this test method helpful when deciding if a proposed antimicrobial catheter should move forward to a clinical trial. 

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