title: Insertion and use of arterial catheters: a survey of clinician antiseptic technique.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent studies have shown that the incidence of bloodstream infections (BSIs) associated with arterial catheters (ACs) is comparable to that of central venous catheters (CVCs). In 2011, the CDC published guidelines recommending the use of limited barrier precautions during AC insertion. The goal of this study was to assess the attitudes and current antiseptic techniques employed by physicians who place arterial catheters in intensive care units.
  
  
  METHODS
  An anonymous, web-based survey was sent to critical care physicians from multiple specialties at six teaching hospitals in Rhode Island.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Survey response rate was 33% (27/83). Only 44% of participants reported using CDC-recommended barrier precautions during AC insertion, and only 15% reported using full barrier precautions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of barrier precautions for arterial catheter insertion was inconsistent in the cohort surveyed. Less than half of physicians surveyed were in compliance with CDC guidelines. Further studies are warranted to determine the optimal preventive strategies for reducing BSIs associated with ACs.
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine Resident at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University (Rhode Island Hospital).
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor of Medicine at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and is affiliated with Rhode Island Hospital and Miriam Hospital.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Levinson
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor of Medicine at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and is affiliated with Rhode Island Hospital and Miriam Hospital.
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mazer
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor of Surgery at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and is affiliated with Rhode Island Hospital and Miriam Hospital.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lueckel
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor of Medicine at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and is affiliated with Rhode Island Hospital and Miriam Hospital.
authors.forename: Gerardo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carino
authors.affiliation: Professor of Medicine at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and is affiliated with Rhode Island Hospital.
authors.forename: Leonard
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mermel
mesh_terms: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D003422:Critical Care / Q000592:standards*; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene / Q000592:standards; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000592:standards*; D012237:Rhode Island; D018570:Risk Assessment; D018805:Sepsis / Q000517:prevention & control; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D062666:Vascular Access Devices / Q000592:standards
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local
keywords: ICU; arterial catheters; bloodstream infections; critical care; sepsis