New approaches for prevention of intravascular catheter-related infections

An estimated 300,000 cases of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) will occur in the United States this year. Newer interventions to control CRBSI include anticoagulant/antimicrobial lock, use of ionic silver at the insertion site, employment of an aseptic hub model, and antimicrobial impregnation of catheters. Patients most likely to benefit from these strategies are those at the highest risk for bloodstream infections and those in whom such infections would result in the greatest morbidity and mortality.