title: [Prevention of infections caused by venous catheters in intensive care units].
abstract: The importance of the prevention of infections related to venous catheters comes from the frequent morbility which derives from these devices in ICU and the foresecable increase of infections which are secondary to them with the consequent increase in the load of Nursing work and costs in Spain, bacteriemias related to central catheters are 8%, under 5% for Swan-Ganz and almost inexistent for peripherals. Germs responsible for infectious incidences caused by catheters are basically Staphylococcus coagulase-negative and Staphylococcus aureus. The most affected veins are the jugular, followed by femoral, antecubital, subclavian and peripheral. The colonization of the patient's skin and the connections of catheters are the most frequent origin of infections and, since certain germs create defensive structures which make them more resistant to treatment, it is very important to carry out protocols of prevention and care which should encompass hand washing efficiency, daily care of the wound, use of suitable disinfectants and, very especially, the protection of catheter connections.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos, Hospital General Universitario, Murcia.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Díaz Chicano
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Castañón Baquera
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Carrión Tortosa
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Rodríguez Mondéjar
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Clavel Amo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ramón Carbonell
mesh_terms: D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000451:nursing; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D012307:Risk Factors
vernacular_title: Prevención de las infecciones relacionadas con catéteres venosos en cuidados intensivos.