INTRAVASCULAR DEVICE-ASSOCIATED SYSTEMIC INFECTIONS - A 2-YEAR ANALYSIS OF CASES IN A DISTRICT GENERAL-HOSPITAL

The increasing use of intravascular devices (IVDs) throughout medicine has been accompanied by significant morbidity and mortality associate d with catheter-related sepsis (CRS). Within the South Buckinghamshire district, 330 episodes of bacteraemia/fungaemia were recorded over th e 2 year period 1992-1993. Thirty-nine episodes (12%), occurring in 37 patients, were associated with IVDs and these were divided into three groups according to the type and site of device. Six patients died wi th CRS contributing to mortality whilst one patient suffered serious m orbidity, in the form of vertebral osteomyelitis. This analysis highli ghted deficiencies in the management of IVDs which are likely to be fo und in similar district general hospitals in the UK. There is an urgen t need for national guidelines on IVD care together with recommendatio ns for the optimal treatment of IVD-associated infection.