Septicaemia in patients with central vein catheters. An evaluation of a method including weekly exchange of catheter.
A method for the care of central vein catheters (CVC) including exchange of catheter is described. The method has been used during 6 years in an intensive care unit for patients with severe infections. Nine out of 140 patients (6%) developed catheter related septicemia which was considered as a satisfactory result for patients with plre-existing systemic infection. A bacteriological study showed that the puncture site was colonized by bacteria belonging to the skin flora one day after introduction of a CVC. Cultures from the catheter tip mainly seemed to reflect the flora at the puncture site.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007601:Jugular Veins; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018805:Sepsis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013350:Subclavian Vein