Colonization and sepsis from triple-lumen catheters in critically ill patients.
Sepsis from central triple-lumen catheters remains a serious and life-threatening problem. Patients requiring triple-lumen catheter placement frequently have multiorgan failure or very serious illness. Every effort should be made to reduce the incidence of catheter-related sepsis. Earlier recognition of catheter sepsis may allow removal of the offending line before sepsis becomes clinically apparent. These data indicate that line colonization occurs early and frequently after triple-lumen catheter placement, and suggests that early, frequent line changes may reduce the incidence of clinical sepsis.
Department of Surgery, University Hospital, St. Louis University Medical Center, Missouri 63104.
V A
VA
Mantese
D S
DS
German
D L
DL
Kaminski
V M
VM
Herrmann
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003422:Critical Care; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011897:Random Allocation; D015003:Yeasts / Q000302:isolation & purification*