What’s new in skin antisepsis for short-term intravascular catheters: New data to address old problems?

Abstract

Although the incidence of short-term vascular catheter-related infections (CRI) is decreasing, CRI remains a leading cause of healthcare-associated infections (HAI) in intensive care units (ICUs) and the most preventable HAI. During the first week of catheterization, colonization of the catheter from skin pathogens and subsequent infection is the main source for CRI; hence, optimal skin preparation prior to catheter placement and during catheter use is paramount for prevention.