May 1, 2010

Interventions for preventing infectious complications in haemodialysis patients with central venous catheters.

McCann M, Moore ZE.   Cochrane Database Syst Rev.   2010 Jan 20;(1):CD006894

This systematic review of strategies to prevent infectious complications of CVCs concludes that mupirocin ointment appears effective in reducing the risk of catheter-related bacteraemia.

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  • Robert Gutman

    We have yet to see a RCT employing the principles of Max Semmelweiss…washing!!!.

    For some peculiar reason, not studied per se to my knowledge, we oppose washing the exit site with running soapy water every day although many of us readily accept the idea for PD cuffed catheters. In a small unpublishable CQI evaluation infection rates went down in my unit when we washed. Why are so keen to keep them covered and unwashed. Certainly we don’t believe that bandages prevent bacterial entrance.