Use of in-line filters in pediatric intravenous therapy.

This study arose from a need to justify the extensive use of in-line intravenous filters in an Australian pediatric teaching hospital. The incidence of septicemia was observed for two 12-month periods before and after the withdrawal of in-line i.v. filters from patients with central venous access devices. A total of 19,221 i.v. days were monitored in 88 children in two 1-year periods. No significant differences were found in the incidence of septicemia between the children who had filters fitted and those who did not. As a result, the routine fitting of filters to i.v. lines infusing fluids filtered during manufacture under a laminar flow has been discontinued with significant cost savings.