title: Reducing catheter infections through use of the CD-1000: a retrospective review of a unique catheter specific composite dressing.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Catheter-related blood stream infections pose a significant risk for patients living with vascular catheters. The cost to manage these infections is substantial. Although the etiology of these infections is multifactorial, tap water has been implicated as a significant causative factor. This retrospective review evaluates the effectiveness of a surgical dressing, the CD-1000, at protecting catheters and exit site wounds from fluid and debris when patients engage in high risk activities like showering.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients who received the CD-1000 from a single national medical supplier from September 2006 through to March 2007 were contacted to participate in this retrospective review; 209 patients, representing 34 states and 175 unique physicians, participated in this study. Effectiveness of the dressing along with prior and current history of catheter events was queried.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The CD-1000 was 95% effective at keeping the catheter and exit site dry while patients engaged in high risk activities like showering. Prior to using the CD-1000, the 209 patients reported a historical catheter infection rate of 1.83 per 1000 catheter days. While using the CD-1000 the 209 patients reported a catheter infection rate of 0.47 per 1000 catheter days.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The CD-1000 catheter specific composite dressing adequately protects vascular catheters and exit sites when patients engage in high risk activities like showering. In this geographically diverse retrospective review, use of the CD-1000 was associated with a 75% reduction in catheter associated infections.
authors.affiliation: Open Access Vascular Access Center, North Miami Beach, FL 33169, USA. saltman@oavac.com
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Altman
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Work
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D001458:Bandages; D055499:Catheter-Related Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014871:Water Microbiology