Intravascular cannula-related sepsis: two years experience

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Medical Device Infections
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Intravascular cannulae are essential medical devices.
• Iatrogenic infections pose a significant risk to patient health.
• Sepsis is a life-threatening response to infection.

Observation:

• A two-year study identified 13 episodes of intravascular cannula-related sepsis.
• Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant pathogen identified.
• Fungaemia was observed in four patients, all on total parenteral nutrition.

Findings:

• Cannula tip cultures and insertion site swabs effectively confirmed diagnoses.
• Three patients with Staphylococcus aureus infections died.
• The study highlights the morbidity and mortality associated with these infections.

Implications:

• Implementing stringent care protocols for intravascular cannula insertion and maintenance is crucial.
• Reducing iatrogenic infections can improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.
• Further research into preventative strategies for device-related infections is warranted.