Guidelines for the Prevention of Intravascular Catheter-related Infections: Recommendations Relevant to Interventional Radiology for Venous Catheter Placement and Maintenance

Abstract

The 2011 Guidelines for the Prevention of Intravascular Catheter-related Infections (8O'Grady N.P. Alexander M. Burns L.A. et al.Guidelines for the prevention of intravascular catheter-related infections.Clin Infect Dis. 2011; 52: e162-e193Crossref PubMed Scopus (186) Google Scholar) contain current recommendations for the selection, placement, maintenance, and replacement of catheters used for venous access. This material is directly relevant to the day-to-day practice of interventional radiology. Highlights of the Guidelines are presented here. The Guidelines contain additional recommendations related to pediatric use, arterial catheters, and other topics, and extensive background information and references (8O'Grady N.P. Alexander M. Burns L.A. et al.Guidelines for the prevention of intravascular catheter-related infections.Clin Infect Dis. 2011; 52: e162-e193Crossref PubMed Scopus (186) Google Scholar). Physicians who perform these procedures may wish to review the entire document.SIR DisclaimerThe clinical practice guidelines of the Society of Interventional Radiology attempt to define practice principles that generally should assist in producing high quality medical care. These guidelines are voluntary and are not rules. A physician may deviate from these guidelines, as necessitated by the individual patient and available resources. These practice guidelines should not be deemed inclusive of all proper methods of care or exclusive of other methods of care that are reasonably directed towards the same result. Other sources of information may be used in conjunction with these principles to produce a process leading to high quality medical care. The ultimate judgment regarding the conduct of any specific procedure or course of management must be made by the physician, who should consider all circumstances relevant to the individual clinical situation. Adherence to the SIR Quality Improvement Program will not assure a successful outcome in every situation. It is prudent to document the rationale for any deviation from the suggested practice guidelines in the department policies and procedure manual or in the patient's medical record.