Use of maximal sterile barrier precautions and/or antimicrobial-coated catheters to reduce the risk of central venous catheter-related bloodstream infection.

Central venous catheter-related bloodstream infection is clinically important because of its high mortality rate. This prospective study shows by multivariate analysis that the use of maximal sterile barrier precautions (odds ratio, 5.205 [95% confidence interval, 0.015-1.136]; P=.023) and the use of antimicrobial-coated catheters (odds ratio, 5.269 [95% confidence interval, 0.073-0.814]; P=.022) are independent factors associated with a lowered risk of acquiring a central venous catheter-related bloodstream infection.