AUDIT OF INFECTION IN CONTINUOUS AMBULATORY PERITONEAL-DIALYSIS

The major cause of failure of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysi s is peritoneal or exist site infection with Staphylococcus aureus. Fr om 1989-1992, eradication of nasal and perineal carriage, continued us e of an occlusive dressing to the exit site, improved aspetic techniqu e for dressing changes by the patient and avoidance of wetting of the dressing were used in an attempt to reduce staphylococcal infections. By comparison with the 3-year period prior to intervention, a signific ant increase in the life of the catheters was achieved (removed at 1 y ear, 13 vs. 28%, P<0.001) with a reduction in episodes of peritonitis due to S. aureus. The study was not prospectively controlled but there did not appear to be any other factor to account for the sudden and c onsistent improvement observed.