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Antibiotic catheters offer more protection against some potential pathogens than catheters impregnated with silver sulfadiazine and chlorhexidine.
True
As shown in figure 1, minocycline/rifampin catheters and silver sulfadiazine/chlorhexidine catheters both provide protection against Staphylococcus epidermidis. But the zone of inhibition created by the minocycline/rifampin catheters is indeed wider.(1)
Conversely, figure 2 shows that minocycline/rifampin catheters provide no discernible zone of inhibition against Candida albicans; silver sulfadiazine/chlorhexidine catheters do.
It's worth noting that while C. albicans is responsible for only 8% of CRBSIs, it has a 40% mortality rate. (2,3) By contrast, S. epidermidis causes 37% of bloodstream infections, yet its mortality rate is 21%, practically half that of C. albicans. (2,3) This illustrates why healthcare institutions should consider spectrum of activity when choosing and implementing infection-control tools.
REFERENCES:
(1) Test conducted by Arrow International. Data on file.
(2) O'Grady, N.P., Alexander, M., Dellinger, E.P., Gerberding, J.L., Heard, S.O., Maki, D.G., Masur, H., McCormick, R.D., Mermel, L.A., Pearson, M.L., Raad, I.I., Randolph, A., Weinstein, R.A. "Guidelines for the Prevention of Intravascular Catheter-Related Infections," Centers for Disease Control, August 9, 2002, Vol. 51, No. RR10, pp. 4-5.
(3) Wenzel, R.P., Edmond, M.B. "The Impact of Hospital-Acquired Bloodstream Infections." Emerging Infectious Diseases, March-April 2001, Vol. 7, No. 2.
pp. 174-177.
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Related Links:
Institute of Healthcare Improvement
5 million lives campaign
The 5 Million Lives Campaign is a voluntary initiative to protect patients from five million incidents of medical harm over the next two years (December 2006 – December 2008).
- IHI 5 Million Lives Website
- Overview
- Participants
- Implement the Central Line Bundle
- IHI Getting Started Kit: Prevent Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia How-to Guide
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Recommendations of CDC and the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee
