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The use of in‐line intravenous filters in sick newborn infants
Author(s) -
Lingen RA,
Baerts W,
Marquering ACM,
Ruijs GJHM
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2004.tb02993.x
Subject(s) - medicine , thrombosis , sepsis , bacteremia , extravasation , prospective cohort study , catheter , surgery , anesthesia , complication , antibiotics , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , immunology
Aim : This study assesses the improvement in outcome for newborn infants by decreasing major complications associated with intravenous fluid therapy by using an in‐line filter, and evaluates the economical impact this might have in relation to daily changing of i.v. lines. Methods : In a prospective controlled study, 88 infants were randomly assigned to receive either filtered (except for lipids, blood and blood products) or non‐filtered infusions via a central catheter. Main outcome measures such as bacteraemia, phlebitis, extravasation, thrombosis, septicaemia and necrosis were all scored. The costs attributable to patients during a standard 8‐day stay were also recorded. Results : Significant reductions were found in major complications such as thrombi and clinical sepsis (control group (21), filter group (8); p < 0.05). Bacterial cultures of the filters showed a contamination rate on the upstream surface of 15/109 filters (14%). The mean costs of disposables were less in the filter group, showing a reduction from ±31.17 to ±23.79. Conclusions. The use of this in‐line filter leads to a significant decrease in major complications and substantial cost savings.