title: [Catheter infections: before and after the Consensus Conference].
abstract: The use of intravascular devices in the usual and daily clinical practice, used as diagnostic or as therapeutic means, is a reality nowadays, present in all hospitals of our medium, and it is increasing. In the area of intensive care, it constitutes a routine and prolonged procedure, and its contribution within the hospitality area, in the context of complications derived from its use, is important. The most frequent complication derived from the use of intravascular catheters or devices, is infection, which manifests itself either locally or systemically. At present it is considered that the bacteremia associated with a catheter, is by far the most common nosocomial cause of bacteremia in our environment, along with the associated morbido-mortality which this implies, the prolonged hospitalization, and the increased cost of health care. The connection of these catheters is an entry site which should be considered, and it is taking on greater significance in these past years. As always, the prophylaxis measures which are applied rigorously and on a daily manner, are the corner stone on which the possibility of minimizing these complications rests.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Medicina Intensiva y Urgencias, Hospital Universitario de Valme, Sevilla.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: León
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sánchez
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lucena
mesh_terms: D016470:Bacteremia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects; D003245:Consensus Statements as Topic; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D015995:Prevalence; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology