Management of intravascular devices to prevent infection

Intravenous therapy is an essential part of clinical care used in a wide variety of healthcare settings. Thus, intravenous catheters have become indispensable to clinical practice. However, catheter-related-bloodstream infections (CR-BSIs) are a major source of morbidity and mortality, especially in hospital patients. Strategies to prevent infection need to change and develop to reflect the advances in technology and delivery of health care. Current guidance recommends a number of strategies to reduce the incidence of CR-BSIs. These include applying the principles of asepsis, the choice of catheter material, the site of insertion and when to replace equipment used. This article reviews the guidelines for current clinical practice.