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Systemic sepsis and intravenous devices
Author(s) -
Collig Peter J.,
Munro Rosemary,
Sorrell Tania C.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1984.tb132802.x
Subject(s) - sepsis , medicine , intensive care unit , incidence (geometry) , thrombophlebitis , central venous catheter , intravenous therapy , local infection , intensive care medicine , catheter , surgery , thrombosis , physics , optics
Seventy‐five episodes of bacteraemia or fungaemia related to indwelling temporary intravenous devices were assessed by the Infectious Diseases Unit of The Westmead Centre, to determine the quality of care of these devices. The estimated incidence of systemic sepsis was 1% for all central venous catheters inserted and 0.1% for all peripheral venous catheters inserted. Sepsis was a major cause of death in 14 of 17 patients who died. Despite the existence of protocols for the insertion, management and early removal of intravenous devices, factors increasing the risk of sepsis included delay in the removal of the intravenous device and the presence of thrombophlebitis. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common isolate (41%); antibiotic resistant Gram‐negative rods were, also common (38%). It is concluded that continued education of resident and nursing staff is essential to minimize the risk of intravenous catheter‐related sepsis.