[Intravenous catheters and nosocomial infection]

Peripheral, especially central venous catheters, are used with increasing frequency in the intensive care unit and in general medical wards to administer intravenous fluids and blood products, drugs, parenteral nutrition, and to monitor hemodynamic status. Catheter infection is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and duration of hospital stay. Risk factors in the development of catheter colonization and bloodstream infections include patient factors (increased risk associated with malignancy, neutropenia, and shock) and treatment-related factors (increased risk associated with total parenteral nutrition, intensive care unit admission for any reason, and endotracheal intubation). In this review article terms and definitions of catheter-related infections, pathophysiology and epidemiology of "catheter sepsis", factors determining risk of infection, catheter types and materials, insertion procedure, choice of insertion site, indwelling time, dressing and care of the insertion site, various preventive strategies and future developments, special situations and procedures, and treatment are discussed. Reducing catheter infections rates requires a multiple-strategy approach. Therefore, intensive care units and other locations where catheters are used should implement strict guidelines and protocols for catheter insertion, care, and maintenance.