Intravascular devices all pose a risk of bloodstream infection

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

A new study from the Mayo Clinic shows that all kinds of intravascular devices pose a risk to the patient of bloodstream infection.
Bloodstream infection is an ever-present risk for patients in hospital, causing complications and extended hospital stays. Intravascular devices (IVDs) are a major cause of bloodstream infections and affect 500,000 people each year in the USA. An IVD is a device allowing access to the bloodstream and is, usually, a catheter. It's an essential part of modern high-tech treatment and may be inserted on a short or long-term basis.

Researchers at the Mayo Clinic have been reviewing the risk of IVDs in 200 studies. They conclude that any kind of IVD will pose a risk of bloodstream infection. Therefore control of potential bloodstream infection must include all instances of IVD use. Till now, attention has been focused upon short-term IVDs. Patients who are put on an IVD should know that its use is probably essential, maybe even lifesaving. But they have a right to ask - and be assured - that precautions against bloodstream infections are being taken.

Source
Mayo Clinic Proceedings September 2006