A new haemodialysis catheter-locking agent reduces infections in haemodialysis patients.
BACKGROUND
Intravenous catheters for haemodialysis increase the risk of sepsis. This study investigates the use of a taurolidine/citrate catheter-locking agent for patients receiving hospital-based haemodialysis, auditing the number and cost of infections before and after its introduction.


METHODS
The incidence and cost of treatment of catheter sepsis occurring in all patients receiving haemodialysis via a line were investigated over 6-month periods before and after introducing the taurolidine/citrate line-locking agent.


RESULTS
A reduction of 4.62 infections per 1000 catheter days, or 88.5%, was shown after the introduction of the new line-locking agent. The total costs of line infections in the first 6 months were 52,500 euros, (41,000 pounds); after the introduction of the taurolidine/citrate locks, these reduced to 33,300 euros, (26, 000 pounds), a reduction of 19,200 euros (15,000 pounds).


CONCLUSIONS
The use of a taurolidine/citrate haemodialysis catheter-locking agent in our haemodialysis population has significantly reduced the line sepsis rate, with a positive impact on morbidity, mortality and cost.
Taylor
Caroline
C
Department of Pharmacy, Lincoln County Hospital, Lincoln, UK. caroline.taylor@ulh.nhs.uk
Cahill
John
J
Gerrish
Martin
M
Little
Jane
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D017053:Infection Control / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000628:therapy; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D018805:Sepsis / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013654:Taurine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D013829:Thiadiazines / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D013829:Thiadiazines; D013654:Taurine; C012566:taurolidine