Nosocomial sepsis related to intravascular access

Many aspects of intravascular catheter care require further detailed study, including the optimal duration of cannulation by particular devices at each site, the influence of newer catheter materials on rates of bacterial colonization and infection, and the degree to which handling the catheter or its connections influences the rate of cannula-associated complication. Use of topical antibiotics and antimicrobial substances, their frequency of application, and similar issues also require further study. If the available knowledge of infection control practice could be consistently applied, it has been estimated that the rate of nosocomial bacteremia (including those secondary to infection at another site) could be reduced by up to 35%.