Preventing Infection in Intravenous Therapy

Abstract

Any part of an infusion system—not just the cannula, its most distal portion—may be at fault when sepsis complicates IV therapy. Detailed here are both intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms by which contamination may occur; recommendations such as more widespread use of steel scalp needles and early termination of infusions are given. The special requirements of total parenteral nutrition systems are defined.