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NCT Number: NCT07587593

The IVCare Adaptive Platform Trial

The IVCare trial is a multicentre adaptive platform study evaluating interventions to prevent infections and other complications associated with central venous access devices (CVADs) in patients with newly inserted or existing devices. The study is organised into domains addressing different aspects of CVAD care and includes patient groups referred to as strata. Domains, strata and interventions may change over time as the study progresses. IVCare also includes an observational cohort study in which patients with CVADs are followed to assess CVAD care practices, infections, and other CVAD-related complications across health services.

The trial starts with two domains. The Connectors/Caps Domain compares antimicrobial connectors and caps with standard-of-care connectors and caps used in Australian hospitals. In the cancer stratum, participants are randomised to receive either Curos™ or standard-of-care connectors/caps. In the kidney disease stratum, participants are randomised to receive either ClearGuard™ HD or standard-of-care connectors/caps. Following a predefined stopping decision for ClearGuard™ HD in the kidney disease stratum, Tego™ will be introduced and evaluated in this group.

The Securement Domain compares the effectiveness of SecurAcath®, a subcutaneous anchor securement system, with standard-of-care securement methods used in Australian hospitals. Participants in both the cancer and kidney disease strata are randomised to receive either SecurAcath® or standard-of-care securement.

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Key information

About this study

Participants who have or require a CVAD, including a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC), non-tunnelled or tunnelled central venous catheter (CVC), or totally implanted venous access port, are eligible for the IVCare trial.

Participation in the observational cohort is a core component of trial participation and occurs for all enrolled participants. Participation in intervention domains is optional. Participants may be enrolled in more than one intervention domain concurrently.

Each domain has its own inclusion and exclusion criteria in addition to core eligibility requirements. Participants will be followed for up to 180 days from enrolment into the observational cohort or randomisation to one or more interventions.

Participants who complete follow-up in the observational cohort and/or one or more intervention domains may be eligible for re-entry, provided they meet eligibility criteria.

There is no fixed sample size for this adaptive platform trial. Recruitment into each domain will be guided by pre-specified interim analyses of accumulating data using Bayesian methods. Predefined decision rules will determine adaptations, including early stopping for futility, non-inferiority, or superiority of interventions within each domain.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Core inclusion Criteria:

  • The patient has or requires a CVAD, including a PICC, a non-tunnelled or tunnelled CVC, or a totally implanted venous access port.
  • Patient is less than 18 years old and paediatric recruitment has not been approved at the site.

Securement Domain exclusion criteria:

  • Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) currently suspected associated with any vascular access device (peripheral or central) that is in situ.
  • CLABSI diagnosed from any vascular access device currently in situ within the past 7 days or being actively treated with antimicrobials.
  • Participants with an estimated life expectancy of <30 days OR who have commenced a documented end-of-life, terminal-care, or comfort-care pathway.
  • Participants who have previously been randomised for the same CVAD.
  • Participants who have been randomised three times.
  • SecurAcath® cannot be applied in accordance with manufacturer instructions and local policy.
  • The participant has compromised skin integrity at the current or intended insertion site, including active infection, inflammation, erosion, ulceration, or pre-existing exit-site injury.

Connectors/Caps Domain exclusion criteria:

  • Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) currently suspected associated with any vascular access device (peripheral or central) that is in situ.
  • CLABSI diagnosed within the past 14 days or CLABSI being actively treated with antimicrobials, associated with any vascular access device currently in situ.
  • Participants with an estimated life expectancy of <30 days OR who have commenced a documented end-of-life, terminal-care, or comfort-care pathway.
  • Participants who have previously been randomised for the same CVAD.
  • Participants who have been randomised three times.
  • Known or suspected hypersensitivity or a confirmed allergy to chlorhexidine.

Cancer stratum inclusion criteria:

  • Confirmed diagnosis of a solid tumour OR
  • Confirmed diagnosis of a haematological malignancy. OR
  • Bone marrow failure syndrome requiring systemic therapy, immunosuppression, or haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Kidney stratum exclusion criteria:

  • Confirmed diagnosis of kidney failure treated with haemodialysis AND
  • CVAD expected to remain in place for >14 days.

Treatment and study plan

Connectors/Caps Domain - Standard of Care

Device

Any needle-free or closed-system connector or cap that does not contain antimicrobial agents and does not incorporate specific infection-prevention design features.

Curos™

Device

Curos™ is a passive disinfecting cap intended for use with needleless connectors The cap contains 70% isopropyl alcohol. Its intended mechanism of action is to provide continuous antimicrobial protection of the connector surface between line accesses and act as a physical barrier to contamination, thereby reducing the potential for microbial transmission through the catheter hub

ClearGuard™ HD

Device

The ClearGuard™ HD cap is designed for use with haemodialysis catheters. It attaches to compatible catheter hubs to maintain a closed system between dialysis sessions. The cap is coated with chlorhexidine, which is intended to reduce microbial colonisation at the catheter hub interface.

Tego™

Device

Tego™ is a needle-free capping device that closes the end of a catheter, creating a mechanically and microbiologically closed system when attached to the catheter hub.

Securement Domain - Standard of Care

Device

Basic securement using sterile tape/adhesion fixation device and a simple transparent dressing, without antimicrobial, antiseptic, or engineered stabilization features.

SecurAcath®

Device

SecurAcath® is a subcutaneous catheter securement system. The device utilises a small anchor (securement feet) placed just beneath the skin at the catheter insertion site and then attached to the catheter shaft. It mechanically stabilises the catheter, reducing movement and migration.

Primary outcomes

  1. Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection (CLABSI)

    Time frame: Up to 180 days

    Laboratory confirmed bloodstream infection associated with the study central venous access device (CVAD), with no other source for the infection, consistent with core criteria of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) from January 2026

Secondary outcomes

  1. Positive blood cultures

    Time frame: Up to 180 days

    Any positive blood culture classified as contaminant, CLABSI, non-CLABSI primary bloodstream infection, mucosal barrier injury laboratory-confirmed bloodstream infection (MBI-LCBI), or secondary bloodstream infection, consistent with the CDC NHSN criteria from January 2026

  2. Catheter-related infection

    Time frame: 180 days

    Catheter-related infection consistent with the Catheter Related Infection definitions (CRI1, CRI2, and CRI3) from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) version 1.02 from 2015

  3. Central Venous Catheter (CVC) exit site infection

    Time frame: Up to 180 days

    CVC exit site infection consistent with the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) guidelines from 2009

  4. Pocket site infection

    Time frame: Up to 180 days

    Pocket site infection consistent with the IDSA guidelines from 2009

  5. CVAD failure

    Time frame: Up to 180 days

    CVAD failure defined as a composite measure of CLABSI and any other infectious or non-infectious complication leading to CVAD removal.

  6. CVAD complications not requiring removal

    Time frame: Up to 180 days

    CVAD complications not requiring removal, defined as a composite measure of any complication not requiring CVAD removal.

  7. CVAD insertion complications

    Time frame: Up to 180 days

    CVAD insertion complications, defined as a composite measure of any insertion complications.

  8. Health-related quality of life

    Time frame: Up to 180 days

    Assessed using the EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-Level (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaire

  9. Patients' experiences of care

    Time frame: Up to 180 days

    Assessed using the Australian Hospital Patient Experience Question Set (AHPEQS)

  10. CVAD-related Serious Adverse Events (SAEs)

    Time frame: Up to 180 days

    Any SAE considered related or possible related to the CVAD.

  11. Intervention-related SAEs

    Time frame: Up to 180 days

    Any SAE considered related or possibly related to an intervention within the Connectors/Caps or the Securement domain.

  12. Unanticipated Serious Adverse Device Effect (USADEs)

    Time frame: Up to 180 days

    Any SAE which meets the definition of an USADE.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

The University of Queensland

Other

Collaborators

  • Bayside Health
  • Liverpool Hospital, South Western Sydney Local Health District
  • Monash Medical Centre
  • Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
  • Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital
  • Royal North Shore Hospital

Registry information

Official study title

Comparative Effectiveness of Interventions to Prevent Infections and Other Complications Arising From Central Venous Access Devices: the IVCare Adaptive Platform Trial.

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2031
Study completion
2031
First posted
May 14, 2026
Registry last updated
Jul 17, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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