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Reduced rates of catheter-associated infection by use of a new silver-impregnated central venous catheter

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Summary

A central venous catheter with a new form of silver impregnation of the internal and external surfaces was investigated for antimicrobial activity and tolerance in patients in a controlled comparative, prospective and randomized clinical study. Commercially available catheters with no antimicrobial activity were used as controls. One hundred sixty-five catheters were included in the final evaluation. All catheters were percutaneously inserted for the first time with a duration of ≥5 days and a microbiological examination of the catheter tip. Catheter location (>90% internal jugular vein), mean duration of catheterization (8–9 days), patients' age and diagnosis were comparable in both groups. Silver-impregnated catheter tips showed an incidence of colonization in 14.2/1000 catheter days and control catheters in 22.8/1000 catheter days. This represents a reduction of 37.7%. Catheter-associated infections were diagnosed in the silver group in 5.26/1000 catheter days and 18.34/1000 catheter days in the control group, indicating a reduction rate of 71.3% (P<0.05, χ2-test). No complications or side effects were documented in either group.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Klinik mit Poliklinik für Kinder und Jugendliche der Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Loschgestr. 15, D-91054, Erlangen, Germany

    M. Böswald,  S. Lugauer,  A. Regenfus,  S. Scharf,  T. Bechert,  J. Greil &  J. -P. Guggenbichler

  2. Klinik für Anästhesiologie der Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany

    G. G. Braun

  3. Institut für Medizinische Statistik und Dokumentation der Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Waldstr. 6, D-91054, Erlangen, Germany

    P. Martus &  C. Geis

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  1. M. Böswald
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  2. S. Lugauer
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  3. A. Regenfus
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  4. G. G. Braun
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  5. P. Martus
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  6. C. Geis
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  7. S. Scharf
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  8. T. Bechert
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  9. J. Greil
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  10. J. -P. Guggenbichler
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Böswald, M., Lugauer, S., Regenfus, A. et al. Reduced rates of catheter-associated infection by use of a new silver-impregnated central venous catheter. Infection 27 (Suppl 1), S56–S60 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02561621

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