Katheter gerelateerde infectie op de ICU

Catheter related infection is one of the most important causes of nosocomial infection. The skin is the most common source of organisms causing contamination of the catheter. Contamination of the catheter can occur during catheterization or with distal spread through the skin port. Device specific rate of catheter related infections is between 2.9 to 12.2 per 1000 catheter days. Diagnosis of catheter related infection is made on clinical signs and of culture of the catheter tip and blood cultures. More than 50% of the catheters with a clinical suspicion of catheter related infection are removed without confirmation of the diagnosis after removal. Recently hopeful new diagnostic method makes it possible to determine if the catheter is the source of the infection when the catheter is still in situ. Prevention remains important in the management of this major complication. In particular maximal sterile barrier precautions are of great importance. Another notable factor is the education and motivation of the nursing and medical staff.