Treatment of central line-associated bloodstream infections

Excerpt

Central venous catheters (CVCs) are among the most frequently used medical devices in critically ill patients [1]. Unfortunately, complications are not uncommon despite the many improvements in caregiver behaviour observed over recent decades. Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) is probably the most feared complication [2]. It is defined as a primary laboratory-confirmed bloodstream infection in a patient with a central line at the time of, or within 24-h prior to, the onset of symptoms, in cases where the cultured organism is not related to an infection from another site. The central line should be in place for > 2 calendar days on the date of the event, with the day of device placement being day 1. Tens of thousands of patients continue to experience CLABSIs each year in the US, resulting in thousands of deaths each year and billions of dollars in added costs to the US healthcare system [3]. …