title: [Vascular access and catheter associated blood-stream infections].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The catheter related infections occurs when the bacteria of the skin around the catheter reach the blood stream. The catheter related infection is suspected when there is no other evident site of infection and the cultures of the material collected from the catheter and the patients blood show the same agent.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The recommendations of prevention, diagnose and treatment of catheter related infections are presented in this article.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The catheter related infection is a relevant problem in intensive care units (ICU), contributing to a raise in hospital mortality. The elaboration of protocols to prevent and control these infections must be a routine in Intensive Care Unit.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Terapia Intensiva, Hospital das Clínicas, Unidade de Emergência, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto.
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bonvento