New Study Proves Benefits of Antiseptic-Impregnated Catheters

Using antiseptic-impregnated catheters reduces the risk of catheter-relatedinfection, according to a study authored by Dr. Joseph Civettain the October 1996 issue of Critical Care Medicine.

In the study, performed at the University of Miami School of Medicine,Dr. Civetta and his team devised a management protocol of centralvenous catheterization. Using ARROWg+ard Blue catheters (ArrowInternational, Reading, Pennsylvania), catheters impregnated withsilver sulfadiazine and chlorhexedine, the research team was ableto reduce their trauma intensive care unit rate of catheter-relatedinfection from 15% to 6%.

In addition to the impact of ARROWg+ard Blue catheters, the indicationsfor guidewire exchange were also studied. Changes in both theguidelines and indications for guidewire exchange were implemented.One change was the substitution of "suspected catheter-relatedsepsis" for fever as an indication for exchange. In addition,the "safe" period (the time before considering changingof a catheter because catheter-related sepsis was suspected) wasextended from 2 to 4 days. These changes resulted in the eliminationof 40% of guidewire exchanges, associated with a decreased catheter-relatedinfection rate. Thus, unnecessary changes were eliminated. Accordingto Dr. Civetta, the increase in the "safe" period ofcatheter use was possible due mostly to the use of the antiseptic-impregnatedcatheters.

By using the ARROWg+ard Blue catheters in conjunction with changesin the guidelines and indications for guidewire exchange, costsavings were estimated to be $190 per patient and $4,750 per monthto the hospital.