OBJECTIVE Peripheral arterial catheters are perceived as having low infective potential compared with other catheters and may be overlooked as a cause of catheter-related bloodstream infection. We aimed to measure colonization and rates of catheter-related bloodstream infection in arterial catheters, to investigate risk factors for arterial catheter colonization, and to compare arterial cathete...

BACKGROUND Heparinized saline solution is used to prevent occlusion in the arterial catheters and central venous pressure monitoring catheters. Even at low dose, heparin administration can be associated with serious complications. Normal saline solution can maintain patency of arterial catheters and central venous pressure monitoring catheters. OBJECTIVES The current study aimed to compare th...

Editor's Note A Simple Approach to Reducing Inappropriate Use of Central Venous Catheters Central venous catheters are commonly used in hospitalized patients.Many are not indicated, evidence of benefit is scant, andall putpatients at risk for thrombosis and infection. In this issue, McDonald and Lee1 describe a simple intervention— making inpatient teams aware that a patient has a central venou...