Intravenous and central catheter infections.

Catheter-associated infections are quite common in hospitalized patients and account for significant morbidity and mortality. Multiple causative factors are present in everyday clinical practice to account for these infections. A high index of suspicion for these infections is needed in any evaluation of a patient who has a febrile illness. Removal of the catheter and quantitative culture are necessary initial steps in treatment, and systemic antibiotic therapy, based on specific culture results, is indicated in any patient whose systemic signs of infection do not resolve promptly. In the absence of such a response, other sources of infection should be sought; however, one must maintain a high index of suspicion for the local site of catheter insertion, and repeated examination of all insertion sites is indicated until the fever resolves.