Prevention of infectious complications of central venous catheters in children

: According to literary data the use of central venous catheters (CVC) is burdened with a significantly higher number of complications than a peripheral venous approach. The management of these complications is difficult and may increase the morbidity and even mortality of critically sick patients. This is why there is such emphasis on the prevention of these serious complications. Strict antiseptic procedures are an absolute must when handling such catheters. To prevent catheter sepsis, as well as any contamination and colonization of a central venous catheter, it is essential to insert such a catheter under aseptic conditions; it calls for handling in a sterile manner and the same applies to all tubing and other connecting systems and to the preparation of infusion liquids and drugs. Moreover, the site of insertion has to be correctly selected and the catheter left in place only for the absolutely necessary time. Most effective in the prevention of catheter infections are the so-called maximum barrier measures applied to the insertion of CVCs.