Vascular catheter-related bloodstream infections

Abstract

Intravascular catheters are inserted in most patients admitted to hospitals. Each year more than 150 million intravenous catheters are placed in patients admitted to hospitals. Intensive care unit patients may have multiple different intravenous catheters placed to administer fluids, medications, hemodynamic monitoring, or hemodialysis. This chapter focuses on the changing epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of vascular catheter-related infections. These infections may be caused by a wide spectrum of bacterial pathogens as well as emerging fungal pathogens. Catheter-related bloodstream infections are associated with high mortality, morbidity, and enormous healthcare costs for acute and chronic care. Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Catheter-Related Infections from the Infectious Diseases Society of America, as well as Guidelines for the Prevention of Intravenous Catheter-Related Infections from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are emphasized.