Efficacy of subcutaneous silver-impregnated cuffs in preventing central venous catheter infections.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy of an attachable subcutaneous silver-impregnated cuff in preventing local central venous catheter (CVC)-related infection and catheter-related sepsis in critically ill surgical patients.


METHODS
A prospective analysis of the use of an attachable subcutaneous silver-impregnated cuff compared with a control group in two consecutive time periods.


METHODS
Two surgical ICUs at the Queen's Medical Center at the University of Hawaii Surgical Residency Program, Honolulu.


METHODS
All surgical ICU patients requiring insertion of central catheters.


METHODS
None.


RESULTS
Two hundred thirty-five CVCs in 154 patients were prospectively evaluated. Silver-impregnated cuffs were used in the first 100 catheters, but none were used in the remaining 135 catheters. The incidence of catheter-related infection in both groups was 15% and 20%, respectively, not statistically significant. Catheter-related sepsis was 3% in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of an attachable subcutaneous silver-impregnated cuff failed to decrease the incidence of CVC-related infection and sepsis.
Hasaniya
N W
NW
Department of Surgery, University of Hawaii, the Queen's Medical Center, Honolulu, USA.
Angelis
M
M
Brown
M R
MR
Yu
M
M
D018806:APACHE; D000328:Adult; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002407:Catheterization, Swan-Ganz / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D003422:Critical Care; D016638:Critical Illness; D004867:Equipment Design; D006254:Hawaii; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012834:Silver; D013499:Surface Properties; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative
D012834:Silver