Septicaemia in patients with central vein catheters. An evaluation of a method including weekly exchange of catheter.

A method for the care of central vein catheters (CVC) including exchange of catheter is described. The method has been used during 6 years in an intensive care unit for patients with severe infections. Nine out of 140 patients (6%) developed catheter related septicemia which was considered as a satisfactory result for patients with plre-existing systemic infection. A bacteriological study showed that the puncture site was colonized by bacteria belonging to the skin flora one day after introduction of a CVC. Cultures from the catheter tip mainly seemed to reflect the flora at the puncture site.