NOVEL-APPROACH TO INVESTIGATE A SOURCE OF MICROBIAL-CONTAMINATION OF CENTRAL VENOUS CATHETERS

The potential route of contamination by skin microorganisms onto the d istal tip of central venous catheters during insertion was investigate d, Thirty patients undergoing cardiac surgery who required a central v enous catheter (CVC) as part of their clinical management were studied , Following catheter placement, the device insertion equipment and the skin at the insertion site were sampled for microorganisms. The dista l tips of the CVCs were also sampled in situ within 90 min post insert ion, Bacteria were isolated from 20 of 30 (66%) CVC skin insertion sit es, from 15 of 30 (50%) guidewires, and from five of 30 (16%) catheter distal tips in situ. These findings suggest that despite rigorous ski n disinfection and strict aseptic technique, viable microorganisms are impacted during insertion onto the distal tip of the CVC, which may a ct as a subsequent nidus of infection.