Incidence and source of contamination of intravenous nutritional infusion systems

Abstract

<h2>Summary</h2> A total of 361 infusion systems of 20 infants receiving intravenous nutrition were subjected to bacteriological investigation. These systems, which included standard intravenous tubing and attached in-line bacterial filters, were frequently contaminated (29.1%) without overt signs of sepsis in the patient. Conversely, sepsis occurred in two patients without contamination of the infusion systems. Multiple cultures (1902) at different points within the systems indicated that filters were effective in trapping and confining microorganisms in both forward and reverse directions. Culture data suggest that contamination of the systems was from multiple sources, including the infusate solution, breaks in aseptic technique, and perhaps the patient himself. The most frequently cultured organism was <i>Staphyloccus epidermidis. Candida</i> was isolated on surprinsingly few occasions.