Care of central venous catheters in Intensive Care Unit

Introduction: Central venous catheters (CVC) are part of daily clinical practice, regarding treatment of critically ill patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Infections associated with CVC, are a serious cause of morbidity and mortality, thus making as a demanding need the adoption of clinical protocols for the care in ICU. Aim: The aim of this review was to explore the nursing care to prevent CVC’s infections in ICU. Method and material: The methodology followed included reviews and research studies. The studies were carried out during the period 2000-2014 and were drawn from foreign electronic databases (Pubmed, Medline, Cochrane) and Greek (Iatrotek), on the nursing care of CVC, in the ICU to prevent infections. Results: The literature review showed that the right choice of dressings on the point of entry, the antiseptic treatment solution, the time for replacement infusion sets, the flushing of central venous catheter, the hand disinfection and finally the training of nursing staff, are the key points to prevent CVC’s infections in ICU. Conclusions: Education and compliance of nurses regarding the instructions of CVC's care, are the gold standard in the prevention of infections.

Keywords: International guidelines, CVC’s infections in ICU, CVC’s nursing care.