title: Effectiveness of a protocol for the prevention of hemodialysis venous catheter-related infections.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Infections are a major complication of the use of hemodialysis central venous catheters. In our study we evaluated the efficacy of the hemodialysis central venous catheter protocol management adopted in our center, through a retrospective analysis of all hemodialysis central venous catheters inserted over a period of 6 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-three tunneled central venous catheters and 75 temporary central venous catheters were inserted in our center from 2003 to 2008 in 148 patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the follow-up we observed 30 infective events (16 assessed as bacteremias, 14 subcutaneous tunnel or exit site infections) with a rate of 0.65/1,000 days of central venous catheter implantation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our experience confirms, in a 72-month follow-up, the importance of careful central venous catheter management as a crucial feature in reducing the incidence of infective events in patients with central venous catheters in dialytic treatment.
authors.affiliation: Nephrology Unit, Magenta Hospital, Magenta, Italy. marina.cornacchiari@ao-legnano.it
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cornacchiari
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heidempergher
authors.forename: Antonia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stasi
authors.forename: Ambrogio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baroli
authors.forename: Lucio
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bertoncini
authors.forename: Corrado
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Turri
authors.forename: Nicoletta
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bellotti
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guastoni
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D055499:Catheter-Related Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D020878:Device Removal; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome