From: Clinical review: New technologies for prevention of intravascular catheter-related infections
Technology | Usefulness | Grade * | Note |
---|---|---|---|
Antimicrobial impregnated dressings | Â | Â | Â |
   Chlorhexidine impregnated sponge dressing | Short-term CVCs | NR | Consider for CVCs expected to be in place for >5 days |
   Silver impregnated subcutaneous collagen cuff | Short-term CVCs | NR | Conflicting results in several clinical trials of efficacy |
Antimicrobial impregnated catheters | Â | IB | Consider if institutional rate of CRBSI is high despite consistent application of preventive measures and CVC is expected to be in place for >5 days |
   Chlorhexidine–silver sulfadiazine impregnated catheters | Short-term CVCs |  | Only the external surface of the CVC is coated. Not effective for CVCs left in place for >2 weeks |
   Minocycline–rifampin impregnated catheters | Short-term and long-term CVCs |  | Both the internal and external surfaces of the CVC are coated. Prolonged antimicrobial activity |
Hubs | Â | Â | Â |
   Catheter hub contained a iodinated alcohol solution | Long-term CVCs | NR | A recent trial failed to show any preventive benefit from the use of this hub |
   Povidone–iodine satured sponge | Long-term CVCs | NR |  |
Needleless connectors | Â | NR | Increased risk for CRBSI associated with improper use |
Antimicrobial lock solutions | Long-term CVCs | II | Consider only for patients with recurrent CRBSIs despite consistent application of preventive measures |