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A NEW HAEMODIALYSIS CATHETER‐LOCKING AGENT REDUCES INFECTIONS IN HAEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS
Author(s) -
Taylor Caroline,
Cahill John,
Gerrish Martin,
Little Jane
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of renal care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.381
H-Index - 27
eISSN - 1755-6686
pISSN - 1755-6678
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-6686.2008.00027.x
Subject(s) - medicine , catheter , sepsis , incidence (geometry) , surgery , bacteremia , intensive care medicine , antibiotics , physics , microbiology and biotechnology , optics , biology
SUMMARY Background: Intravenous catheters for haemodialysis increase the risk of sepsis. This study investigates the use of a taurolidine/citrate catheter‐locking agent for patients receiving hospital‐based haemodialysis, auditing the number and cost of infections before and after its introduction. Methods: The incidence and cost of treatment of catheter sepsis occurring in all patients receiving haemodialysis via a line were investigated over 6‐month periods before and after introducing the taurolidine/citrate line‐locking agent. Results: A reduction of 4.62 infections per 1000 catheter days, or 88.5%, was shown after the introduction of the new line‐locking agent. The total costs of line infections in the first 6 months were €52 500, (£41 000); after the introduction of the taurolidine/citrate locks, these reduced to €33 300, (£26 000), a reduction of €19 200 (£15 000). Conclusions: The use of a taurolidine/citrate haemodialysis catheter‐locking agent in our haemodialysis population has significantly reduced the line sepsis rate, with a positive impact on morbidity, mortality and cost.