Vascular catheter-related bloodstream infections

Abstract

Intravascular catheter insertion is an integral part of the care received by almost every patient admitted to a hospital. Patients in intensive care units (ICU) may have multiple types of catheters placed during their hospital stay (Table 28.1). Each year millions of intravascular catheters are inserted into patients for administration of medications, fluids, or hemodynamic monitoring.1 Although intravascular catheter insertion is a common practice, it alters natural host defenses against infection, which increases the risk of local infection or bacteremia with more serious complications, such as osteomyelitis or endocarditis. © 2010 Springer-Verlag US.