A Simple Idea, Proven by Rigorous Science
A multicenter randomized controlled trial published in Critical Care Medicine is drawing global attention for its practical impact.
The STICKY Trial, led by Australian researcher Nicole Marsh, RN, PhD, found that adding gum mastic liquid adhesive (Mastisol®) to standard jugular central-line dressings:
- Cut premature dressing failure nearly in half
- Extended wear time more than two-fold
- Saved hospitals money
- And showed promising signals for infection prevention
“Maintaining effective dressing securement of central venous catheters in intensive care is a
clinical priority,” says Dr. Marsh. “Our study demonstrated that Mastisol kept dressings intact longer and reduced unnecessary changes. That means the insertion wound stays continually protected from contamination, and the risk of catheter dislodgement is reduced as well.”
Across four Australian ICUs, 160 critically ill patients with jugular central venous catheters
(CVCs) were enrolled.
Premature dressing failure fell from 50 percent in the control group to 28 percent with Mastisol. Median dressing life increased from 23.8 hours to 58.5 hours, producing an average savings of AUD $11 per patient in material and labor costs.
Why Jugular Lines Are So Hard to Keep Covered
The internal jugular site moves constantly and is crowded with tubing, making dressing adhesion difficult.
Each lifted edge opens a pathway for bacteria—and with every replacement comes risk.
A single central line–associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) can add nearly $50 000 to a hospital stay, according to the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
Mastisol helps by forming an extra layer of adhesion at the dressing border, preventing edge lift and maintaining an occlusive seal.
Despite stronger bonding, no increase in skin injury was observed compared with standard care.
“The addition of Mastisol under the dressing border provides an extra level of adhesion to keep the dressing in place and the CVC secured,” Dr. Marsh explains.
In a microbiological substudy, insertion-site colonization was half as common with Mastisol, suggesting additional infection-prevention potential.
What the UVA Study Adds
The STICKY findings mirror a separate initiative at the University of Virginia Health, published in Critical Care Nurse in June 2025.
There, an interprofessional team reduced its CLABSI standardized infection ratio from 2.3 to 0.8 over three years by combining multiple measures, including improved dressing adherence with a chlorhexidine-compatible gum mastic adhesive.
UVA leaders concluded that “Dressings should fully adhere and not peel up at their edges. Adhesive products may help prevent peeling.”
Together, the two studies strengthen the case for gum mastic adhesives as a missing link in catheter-related infection prevention.
| Outcome | Standard of Care | With Mastisol |
|---|---|---|
| Dressing failure | 50% | 28% |
| Median wear time | 23.8 hrs | 58.5 hrs |
| Avg. cost savings | ______ | ≈ AUD $11 per patient |
| Site colonization | 80% | 40% |
Economics that matter
For a four-hospital ICU network with roughly 5 000 admissions a year (60 percent needing at least one CVC), Mastisol use could save more than AUD $33 000 annually.
Scaled to a mid-to-large U.S. medical center, savings could reach the tens of thousands of dollars each year—not counting potential infection avoidance.
“At the start of the trial, we weren’t sure whether Mastisol would offset its cost,” says Marsh.
“But it paid for itself by reducing dressing changes and nursing time. Introducing Mastisol was cost-saving in our cohort.”
With an estimated five million central lines placed each year in the U.S., and the internal jugular vein among the most commonly used site, the national savings potential is substantial.
BRIDGING EVIDENCE AND EVERYDAY PRACTICE
Kathleen Vollman, MSN, RN, CCNS, FCCM, FAAN, president of the World Federation of Critical Care Nurses, sees the work as a turning point for bedside practice.
“The STICKY Trial provides rigorous randomized evidence that dressing securement alone is not enough,” Vollman notes.
“By incorporating a gum mastic liquid adhesive like Mastisol and its companion adhesive remover into central-line care, nurses gain a practical, science-driven tool to strengthen dressing integrity, safeguard patients, and create sustainable change at the bedside.”
Every reduction in disruption lowers the risk of contamination and simplifies nursing workflow—small wins that accumulate into safer, more efficient care.
The Takeaway
From high-acuity ICUs in Brisbane to cardiac surgery units in Virginia, one message resonates: stronger dressing adhesion equals better protection.
What may seem like a simple “sticky step” could become a powerful lever for infection prevention and cost reduction across critical-care settings.
“Every time we extend dressing life and reduce disruptions,” Vollman says, “we strengthen protection at the insertion site and simplify the nurse’s workflow. That’s how sustainable change happens at the bedside.”
About Mastisol®
Mastisol Liquid Adhesive is a latex-free, non-water-soluble gum mastic adhesive designed to secure dressings, tapes, and devices. Compatible with chlorhexidine, it helps prevent dressing lift and displacement that can expose insertion sites to contaminants.
Eloquest Healthcare, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Ferndale Pharma Group, Inc., delivers simple, evidence-based solutions that enhance clinical outcomes, reduce total cost of care, and improve staff efficiency.
Learn more at eloquesthealthcare.com.
