BACKGROUND: Intravenous catheters for haemodialysis increase the risk of sepsis. This study investigates the use of a taurolidine/citrate catheter-locking agent for patients receiving hospital-based haemodialysis, auditing the number and cost of infections before and after its introduction. METHODS: The incidence and cost of treatment of catheter sepsis occurring in all patients receiving haemodialysis via a line were investigated over 6-month periods before and after introducing the taurolidine/citrate line-locking agent. RESULTS: A reduction of 4.62 infections per 1000 catheter days, or 88.5%, was shown after the introduction of the new line-locking agent. The total costs of line infections in the first 6 months were 52,500 euros, (41,000 pounds); after the introduction of the taurolidine/citrate locks, these reduced to 33,300 euros, (26, 000 pounds), a reduction of 19,200 euros (15,000 pounds). CONCLUSIONS: The use of a taurolidine/citrate haemodialysis catheter-locking agent in our haemodialysis population has significantly reduced the line sepsis rate, with a positive impact on morbidity, mortality and cost.
BACKGROUND: Intravenous catheters for haemodialysis increase the risk of sepsis. This study investigates the use of a taurolidine/citrate catheter-locking agent for patients receiving hospital-based haemodialysis, auditing the number and cost of infections before and after its introduction. METHODS: The incidence and cost of treatment of catheter sepsis occurring in all patients receiving haemodialysis via a line were investigated over 6-month periods before and after introducing the taurolidine/citrate line-locking agent. RESULTS: A reduction of 4.62 infections per 1000 catheter days, or 88.5%, was shown after the introduction of the new line-locking agent. The total costs of line infections in the first 6 months were 52,500 euros, (41,000 pounds); after the introduction of the taurolidine/citrate locks, these reduced to 33,300 euros, (26, 000 pounds), a reduction of 19,200 euros (15,000 pounds). CONCLUSIONS: The use of a taurolidine/citrate haemodialysis catheter-locking agent in our haemodialysis population has significantly reduced the line sepsis rate, with a positive impact on morbidity, mortality and cost.
Authors: Daniel L Landry; Gregory L Braden; Stephen L Gobeille; Sarah D Haessler; Chirag K Vaidya; Stephen J Sweet Journal: Clin J Am Soc Nephrol Date: 2010-07-01 Impact factor: 8.237