Central venous catheter practices: results of a survey

The incidence of nosocomial bloodstream infections has increased twofold to threefold in the past decade, and central venous catheter infections account for about 90% of catheter-related nosocomial bloodstream infections. Many studies of risk factors for central venous catheter complications have been conducted, resulting in recommendations for preventive strategies, but few data are available regarding the frequency with which such strategies are employed in clinical practice.

A survey was conducted of persons attending a meeting of the National Association of Vascular Access Networks in New Orleans on September 25, 1992. The survey contained 15 questions related to central venous catheters regarding infection control measures, measures to maintain patency, and use of the catheter for obtaining blood specimens for diagnostic tests.

Ninety-two persons from 24 states completed the questionnaire as representatives of 23 teaching hospitals, 21 nonteaching hospitals, and 48 home health agencies. Transparent dressings were used more frequently (88%) than cotton gauze (27%). Alcohol and povidone-iodine solutions were the most frequently used antiseptics. Antimicrobial ointment was used by fewer than half; of these 86% used povidone-iodine and 26% used polymyxin-neomycin-bacitracin. Heparin flushes were still being used by 97% to maintain patency. Most (82%) used central venous catheters to draw blood cultures; of these, 68% drew only qualitative cultures and 32% drew quantitative cultures in addition to or instead of qualitative cultures.

Significant diversity of practice was documented among the health care organizations represented in this survey. Some of the practices documented in this survey have been associated with higher rates of bloodstream infection; this may partially explain the observed increase during the past decade in the incidence of nosocomial bloodstream infections.