Table 1.

New technologies for the prevention of central venous catheter-related bloodstream infection

Technology	Usefulness	Grade *	Note
Antimicrobial impregnated dressings
Chlorhexidine impregnated sponge dressing	Short-term CVCs	NR	Consider for CVCs expected to be in place for >5 days
Silver impregnated subcutaneous collagen cuff	Short-term CVCs	NR	Conflicting results in several clinical trials of efficacy
Antimicrobial impregnated catheters		IB	Consider if institutional rate of CRBSI is high despite consistent application of preventive measures and CVC is expected to be in place for >5 days
Chlorhexidine–silver sulfadiazine impregnated catheters	Short-term CVCs		Only the external surface of the CVC is coated. Not effective for CVCs left in place for >2 weeks
Minocycline–rifampin impregnated catheters	Short-term and long-term CVCs		Both the internal and external surfaces of the CVC are coated. Prolonged antimicrobial activity
Hubs
Catheter hub contained a iodinated alcohol solution	Long-term CVCs	NR	A recent trial failed to show any preventive benefit from the use of this hub
Povidone–iodine satured sponge	Long-term CVCs	NR
Needleless connectors		NR	Increased risk for CRBSI associated with improper use
Antimicrobial lock solutions	Long-term CVCs	II	Consider only for patients with recurrent CRBSIs despite consistent application of preventive measures

* Adapted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for the prevention of intravascular catheter-related infections [1]. Category IB: strongly recommended for implementation and supported by some experimental, clinical, or epidemiologic studies, and a strong theoretical rationale. Category II: suggested for implementation and supported by suggestive clinical or epidemiologic studies or a theoretical rationale. NR: no recommendations for or against use at this time. CRBSI, catheter-related bloodstream infection; CVC, central venous catheter.