Table 1.

Categories of Preventive Strategies

	What Works	What Probably Works	What Might Work
Vascular catheters	Use maximal sterile barriers for insertion Use 2% chlorhexidine for skin antisepsis Designated intravenous therapy team Avoid lower extremity insertion sites Antimicrobial-impregnated catheters* Good hand hygiene Catheter removal when no longer needed	Antibiotic flushes* Prevention of thrombus formation	Antimicrobial catheter hubs Catheter securement devices Active iontophoresis
Urinary catheters	Closed drainage Intermittent catheterization Ensure dependent drainage Catheter removal when no longer needed	Antimicrobial-impregnated catheters*	Bacterial interference

^*In specific situations.