BD^® MaxPlus™ and
BD^® MaxZero™ Needle-free
Connector and Extension Sets

63% lower CLABSI risk.¹ 55.1% fewer occlusions.²  
One solid choice.

MaxPlus™ and MaxZero™ Needle-free Connector

Ready to learn more? Let’s have a conversation.

Overview
Guidelines & Clinical Evidence
Products & Accessories
EIFU & Resources

Meet your microbial gatekeeper³

You take every precaution to protect your patients—scrubbing the hub, flushing lines before and after access and following best practices at each step. But what if one of the biggest catheter infection risks was hiding in the smallest component of your vascular access bundle?

Fifty percent of catheter-related infections can be traced back to colonization of the needle-free connector itself.⁴ And guess what—those needle-free connectors are used on nearly every single IV line.

It’s time to recognize needle-free connectors as more than just an access point, but a critical component in patient safety.

Not all needle-free connectors
are created equal

Here’s the challenge: while every needle-free connector allows IV access, not every connector is designed to help reduce the risk of infection.

A needle-free connector with a differentiated design may help to:

Prohibit microbial entry⁵
Reduce occlusions^2,6
Reduce needlestick injuries^5,6
Improve disinfecting and flushing techniques⁵

Choosing the right needle-free connector isn’t just important—it’s critical to your patients’ safety.

Choose the only needle-free connectors on the market today with a solid access surface—a feature associated with a 2x reduction in CLABSI*

MaxPlus™ Needle-free Connectors are the only connectors that feature positive displacement technology, which may help to reduce central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs).⁷ The MaxPlus™ Needle-free Connector and the MaxZero™ Needle-free Connector use the same fundamental technology: The Max Needle-free Connector technology.

_{*Compared to those without a solid external access surface}

The differentiated MaxPlus™ and MaxZero™ Needle-free Connector technology has been
helping facilities reduce central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) and
occlusions for over 10 years.^1-2,8-15

63% lower risk of CLABSI¹

The MaxPlus™ Needle-free Connector was shown to reduce the risk of CLABSI by 63%, compared to other needle-free connectors, in a 2014 meta-analysis published in the American Journal of Infection Control.¹

55.1% reduction in occlusions²

In a 2018 retrospective observational study of 720 home infusion patients, the MaxZero™ Needle-free Connector reduced PICC^ occlusion rates by 55.1% (p=0.001), compared to a leading neutral displacement connector.²

_{^ PICC: Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter.}

~60% reduction in alteplase use

A 2024 study demonstrated approximately 60% reduction in alteplase use associated with MaxPlus™ and MaxZero™ Needle-free Connectors which could result in cost savings for a hospital.¹⁶

The difference is in the design

Explore the design innovations that differentiate BD MaxPlus™ and BD MaxZero™ Needle-free Connector technology

*Compared to the standard of care that included a standard peripheral catheter and three way stopcock among other elements.

Tabak YP, Jarvis WR, Sun X, Crosby CT, Johannes RS. Meta-analysis on central line-associated bloodstream infections associated with a needleless intravenous connector with a new engineering design. Am J Infect Control. 2014;42(12):1278–1284. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2014.08.018.
Williams A. Catheter occlusion in home infusion: the influence of needleless connector design on central catheter occlusion. J Infus Nurs. 2018;41(1):52–57. doi: 10.1097/NAN.0000000000000259.
Curran E. Needleless connectors: the vascular access catheter's microbial gatekeeper. J Infect Prev. 2016;17(5):234-240. doi:10.1177/1757177416657164
Moureau NL, Flynn J. Disinfection of needleless connector hubs: Clinical evidence systematic review. Nurs Res Pract. 2015;796762. doi:10.1155/2015/796762
Jarvis WR. Needleless connectors and the improvement of patient and healthcare professional safety. Infection Control Today. Accessed November 18, 2020. https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/needleless-connectors-and-improvement-patient-and-healthcare
Jarvis WR. Choosing the best design for intravenous needleless connectors to prevent bloodstream infections. Infection Control Today. Accessed February 4, 2021. https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/choosing-best-design-intravenous-needleless-connectors-prevent-bloodstream
BD MaxPlus™ Needle-free Connector Directions for Use.
Tabak YP, Johannes RS, Sun X, Crosby CT, Jarvis WR. Innovative use of existing public and private data sources for postmarketing surveillance of central line-associated bloodstream infections associated with intravenous needleless connectors. J Infus Nurs. 2016;39(5):328–335. doi: 10.1097/NAN.0000000000000185.
Costello JM, Morrow DF, Graham DA, Potter-Bynoe G, Sandora TJ, Laussen PC. Systematic intervention to reduce central line-associated bloodstream infection rates in a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit. Pediatrics. 2008;121(5):915–923. doi: 10.1542/peds.2007-1577.
Wallace MC, Macy DL. Reduction of central line-associated bloodstream infection rates in patients in the adult intensive care unit. J Infus Nurs. 2016;39(1):47–55. doi: 10.1097/NAN.0000000000000151.
Sandora TJ, Graham DA, Conway M, Dodson B, Potter-Bynoe G, Margossian SP. Impact of needleless connector change frequency on central line-associated bloodstream infection rate. Am J Infect Control. 2014;42(5):485–489. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2014.01.022.
Royer T. Implementing a better bundle to achieve and sustain a zero central line-associated bloodstream infection rate. J Infus Nurs. 2010;33(6):398–406. doi: 10.1097/NAN.0b013e3181f8586b.
Casey AL, Karpanen TJ, Nightingale P, Chaganti S, Elliott TSJ. Microbiologic contamination of a positive- and a neutral-displacement needleless intravenous access device in clinical use. Am J Infect Control. 2016;44(12):1678–1680. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.206.06.027.
Clavier T, Ferguen M, Gouin P, et al. Impact of BD MaxZero™ needle-free connector on the incidence of central venous catheter-related infections in surgical intensive care unit. Aust Crit Care. 2019;32(2):107–111. doi: 10.1016/j.aucc.2018.03.003.
Hankins R, Majorant OD, Rupp ME, et al. Microbial colonization of intravascular catheter connectors in hospitalized patients. Am J Infect Control. 2019;47(12):1489–1492. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2019.05.024.
Lange VR. Use of different designed needle-free connectors: a snapshot of central venous catheter intraluminal blood occlusion and central line-associated bloodstream infection in hospitals. Int J Infect Control. 2024(20). doi.org/10.3395/ijiic.v20.23731
Guenezan J, Marjanovic N, Drugeon B, et al. Chlorhexidine plus alcohol versus povidone iodine plus alcohol, combined or not with innovative devices, for prevention of short-term peripheral venous catheter infection and failure (CLEAN 3 study): an investigator-initiated, open-label, single centre, randomised-controlled, two-by-two factorial trial. Lancet Infect Dis. 2021. doi: 10.1016/S1473-3099(20)30738-6.

BD-27572 (08/25)

What industry guidelines say about choosing and using needle-free connectors

Evaluate published outcomes of infection risks associated with each type of needleless connector
when making product purchase decisions, focusing on risks, benefits and educational requirements.

— Infusion Nurses Society (INS) 2024 Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice¹

Use needleless connectors (NC) as IV connection devices.

Use a luer-lock mechanism to ensure a secure junction when attaching NC to a VAD or access site. Avoid three-way stopcocks as IV connection devices.

—

International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) 2017 Care Bundles to Prevent Central and Peripheral Line-Related Bloodstream Infections²

Demonstrated outcomes.
Documented results.

For over a decade, study after study has consistently validated the impact of Max™ Needle-free Connector technology.

Reduced CLABSI and occlusion rates³

A 2024 study by Dr. Victor Lange published in International Journal of Infection Control found that the use of MaxPlus™ and MaxZero™ Needle-free Connectors correlated with lower rates of both CLABSI and intraluminal catheter blood occulation, which are known risk factors for infections.³

63% lower risk of CLABSIs⁴

The MaxPlus™ Needle-free Connector was shown to reduce the risk of CLABSI by 63%, compared to other needle-free connectors, in a 2014 peer-reviewed meta-analysis reporting on 7 studies, published in the American Journal of Infection Control,⁴ and is associated with lower CLABSI risk, independent of seasonality, case mix index, infusion care and cleaning practices.⁴

Lower CLABSIs and standardized infection ratios⁴

A systematic review of 2013 CMS Hospital Compare data from 3,074 hospitals, accounting for nearly 11,000 CLABSIs associated with nearly 10 million catheter days, shows that hospitals using the MaxPlus™ Needle-free Connector had lower unadjusted CLABSI rates, as well as lower standardized infection ratios, compared to hospitals not using the MaxPlus™ Needle-free Connector.⁴

55.1% reduction in occlusions⁵

In a retrospective observational study of 720 home infusion patients, the MaxZero™ Needle-free Connector reduced PICC occlusion rates by 55.1% (p=0.001), compared to a leading neutral displacement connector.⁵ There was a 55.1% reduction in the total number of nurse visits per 100 central line-days and a 56.4% reduction in Alteplase use and associated cost, after patients were switched to the MaxZero™ Needle-free Connectors.⁵

Over 70% reduction in CLABSIs in a pediatric cardiac ICU⁶

A multidisciplinary evidence-based initiative consisting of a CVL insertion, access and maintenance bundle, including implementation of the MaxPlus™ Needle-free Connector, resulted in a reduction in CLABSIs from an estimated 7.8 CLABSIs per 1000 catheter days to 2.3 CLABSIs per 1000 catheter days.⁶

Reduced CLABSIs in an ICU⁷

An ICU in a suburban Baltimore hospital reduced CLABSI rates to zero in 2012, by revising its CVAD policies and initiatives and implementing a bundled approach, including the use of MaxPlus™ Needle-free Connectors.⁷

Our powerful evidence-based assessments, with analytics and benchmarks, are the first phase of BD Vascular Access Management—and the first step on the path to help you reduce complications and improve patient care.

Learn more

Nickel B, Gorski L, Kleidon T, et al. Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice, 9th Edition. J Infus Nurs. 2024;47(1S Suppl 1):S1-S285. doi:10.1097/NAN.0000000000000532
International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) Care bundles to prevent central and peripheral line-related bloodstream infections. INICC website. http://www.inicc.org/media/docs/2017-INICCBSIPreventionGuidelines.pdf. Published January 1, 2017. Accessed June 2, 2021.
Lange VR. Use of different designed needle-free connectors: a snapshot of central venous catheter intraluminal blood occlusion and central line-associated bloodstream infection in hospitals. Int J Infect Control. 2024;(20). doi.org/10.3395/ijiic.v20.23731
Tabak YP, Jarvis WR, Sun X, Crosby CT, Johannes RS. Meta-analysis on central line-associated bloodstream infections associated with a needleless intravenous connector with a new engineering design. Am J Infect Control. 2014;42(12):1278–1284. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2014.08.018.
Williams A. Catheter occlusion in home infusion: the influence of needleless connector design on central catheter occlusion. J Infus Nurs. 2018;41(1):52–57. doi: 10.1097/NAN.0000000000000259.
Costello JM, Morrow DF, Graham DA, Potter-Bynoe G, Sandora TJ, Laussen PC. Systematic intervention to reduce central line-associated bloodstream infection rates in a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit. Pediatrics. 2008;121(5):915–923. doi: 10.1542/peds.2007-1577.
Wallace MC, Macy DL. Reduction of central line-associated bloodstream infection rates in patients in the adult intensive care unit. J Infus Nurs. 2016;39(1):47–55. doi: 10.1097/NAN.0000000000000151.