Unnecessary use of central venous catheters: the need to look outside the intensive care unit

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2004 Mar;25(3):266-8. doi: 10.1086/502390.

Abstract

We developed criteria for justifiable CVC use and evaluated CVC use in a public hospital. Unjustified CVC-days were more common for non-ICU patients compared with ICU patients. Also, insertion-site dressings were less likely to be intact on non-ICU patients. Interventions to reduce CVC-associated bloodstream infections should include non-ICU patients.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Bacteremia / etiology
  • Catheterization, Central Venous / adverse effects
  • Catheterization, Central Venous / standards*
  • Catheterization, Central Venous / statistics & numerical data*
  • Cross Infection / microbiology
  • Cross Infection / prevention & control
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Equipment Contamination
  • Female
  • Health Care Surveys
  • Hospital Units / standards*
  • Hospitals, Public / standards
  • Hospitals, Teaching / standards
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Medical Records
  • Middle Aged
  • Quality of Health Care*
  • Unnecessary Procedures*