Biomaterial Database

Safety of triple lumen catheters in the critically ill. 1991

R Manglano, and M Martin

Trauma Unit, Cook County Hospital, Chicago, Illinois.

The authors performed this prospective study to determine the infection rate of triple lumen catheters (TLC) in their surgical intensive care unit (SICU) patient population. Patients who required a central venous line for the first time while in their SICU were studied. Those with preexisting catheter infections, bacteremias, and TLC reinsertions were excluded. TLC was placed through the internal jugular or the subclavian vein and all peripheral lines were removed. The distal port was used for parenteral nutrition and the other two ports were used for fluids and medications. Dressings were changed daily and blood cultures were obtained through each port of the TLC. At the time of catheter removal, blood, catheter tip, and the subcutaneous tract were cultured. Duration of catheterization was recorded. Eighty-six catheters were studied. The mean duration of catheterization was 6.2 days and the range was two to 23 days. Six of 86 (6.9%) catheter tip cultures were positive and the remaining 80 (93.1%) were negative. Two positive tips (2.3%) had negative blood cultures for two catheter infections (CIs). The remaining four catheters (4.6%) had associated bacteremias for four catheter sepsis (CS). The two catheter infections occurred among catheters indwelling for 10 days or less while the four cases of catheter sepsis occurred among catheters indwelling longer than 10 days. In conclusion, triple lumen catheters can be safely left in place for up to 10 days with minimal risk for bacteremia.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007239	Infections	Invasion of the host organism by microorganisms or their toxins or by parasites that can cause pathological conditions or diseases.	Infection,Infection and Infestation,Infections and Infestations,Infestation and Infection,Infestations and Infections
D011182	Postoperative Care	The period of care beginning when the patient is removed from surgery and aimed at meeting the patient's psychological and physical needs directly after surgery. (From Dictionary of Health Services Management, 2d ed)	Care, Postoperative,Postoperative Procedures,Procedures, Postoperative,Postoperative Procedure,Procedure, Postoperative
D011446	Prospective Studies	Observation of a population for a sufficient number of persons over a sufficient number of years to generate incidence or mortality rates subsequent to the selection of the study group.	Prospective Study,Studies, Prospective,Study, Prospective
D002177	Candidiasis	Infection with a fungus of the genus CANDIDA. It is usually a superficial infection of the moist areas of the body and is generally caused by CANDIDA ALBICANS. (Dorland, 27th ed)	Candida Infection,Moniliasis,Candida Infections,Candidiases,Infection, Candida,Moniliases
D002408	Catheters, Indwelling	Catheters designed to be left within an organ or passage for an extended period of time.	Implantable Catheters,In-Dwelling Catheters,Catheter, In-Dwelling,Catheter, Indwelling,Catheters, In-Dwelling,In Dwelling Catheters,In-Dwelling Catheter,Indwelling Catheter,Indwelling Catheters
D003422	Critical Care	Health care provided to a critically ill patient during a medical emergency or crisis.	Intensive Care,Intensive Care, Surgical,Surgical Intensive Care,Care, Critical,Care, Intensive,Care, Surgical Intensive
D004866	Equipment Contamination	The presence of an infectious agent on instruments, prostheses, or other inanimate articles.	Contamination, Equipment,Contaminations, Equipment,Equipment Contaminations
D004867	Equipment Design	Methods and patterns of fabricating machines and related hardware.	Design, Equipment,Device Design,Medical Device Design,Design, Medical Device,Designs, Medical Device,Device Design, Medical,Device Designs, Medical,Medical Device Designs,Design, Device,Designs, Device,Designs, Equipment,Device Designs,Equipment Designs
D004869	Equipment Safety	Freedom of equipment from actual or potential hazards.	Device Safety,Hazards, Equipment,Medical Device Safety,Safety, Equipment,Device Safety, Medical,Safety, Medical Device,Equipment Hazard,Equipment Hazards,Hazard, Equipment,Safety, Device
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man