The potential for contamination of continuous epidural catheters.

In cultures from 102 patients undergoing continuous epidural catheterization, 22 catheters were found to be contaminated. No statistically significant correlation could be established between the contaminated catheters and the parameters monitored. A worrisome trend of contamination seemed to be developing in association with hospital-prepared epidural trays as well as the procedure of vaginal delivery. Hypotheses for these observations together with current prophylactic measures are discussed. One significant clinical infection occurred; a brief report of this patient is included.