Prevention of sepsis associated with the insertion of intravenous cannulae: The experience in a coronary care unit

Abstract

The effect of a strictly maintained treatment protocol on the incidence of bacteremia associated with peripheral i.v. catheters was studied in a coronary care unit. This protocol was supervised and carried out by nursing staff members. Before the introduction of the protocol in Oct. 1981, Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia associated with peripheral i.v. catheters had developed in 5 patients and led to the deaths of 4 of these patients. During this time, 2364 patients were admitted to the unit. Since Oct. 1981, there were no further episodes of systemic sepsis associated with peripheral i.v. catheters in 2279 patients admitted to the unit (P = 0.03; Fisher''s exact test).