Abstract
An increased risk of infection is associated with repeated manipulation of I.V. tubing. It would be preferable therefore to limit the frequency of venous line changes. Guidelines in documented studies recommend changing tubing every 2 to 3 days. The aim of this study is to show whether changing I. V. tubing every 4 days rather than 2 days, the current protocol in I. C. U. at IGR, increases the risk of catheter infection. Method A prospective randomized study aims to show the equivalence of 2 methods of I. V. tubing change, 4 days versus 2 days, on the incidence of catheter infection. 125 patients will be included in each of the 2 groups. Parameters studied include assessment of catheter site, patient temperature and blood culture results. The I. C. U. blood sampling policy has not been modified apart from the addition of a routine blood culture from the central catheter on admission to the unit. Patients are surveyed throughout their stay in I. C. U. Patients discharged with a catheter in situ are followed up for 48 hours after leaving I. C. U. Results 50 Patients have been included in the study so far. Preliminary results show the two methods to be equivalent. If these findings are confirmed in the completed study, a considerable economy in time and material will be obtained.
Published Version
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