title: Dressing changes by specialized personnel reduce infection rates in patients receiving central venous parenteral nutrition.
abstract: In 60 pediatric patients, 75 central venous catheters representing 1866 patient days were placed to provide parenteral nutrition. During the 21-month study period, surgical residents were responsible for dressing changes during the first 16 months and a specially trained nurse was responsible during the final 5 months. Twenty percent of the lines became infected. The infection rate was significantly higher in the lines cared for by residents, 28.8% compared to 3.3% in the lines cared for by the nurse. This occurred in spite of the lines being in place significantly longer in the nurse group (31.7 vs 20.3 patient days/line). These data indicate that a specially trained person using aseptic techniques can reduce infection rates in patients receiving central venous parenteral nutrition.
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Kien
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mohr
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Frank
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Davis
mesh_terms: D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001458:Bandages / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D009732:Nursing Care; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods