Critical Care

official impact factor 4.60

Commentary

Antimicrobial catheters in the ICU: is the juice worth the squeeze?

Nasia Safdar

Author Affiliations

Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin Medical School, H4/572, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792, USA

Critical Care 2009, 13:148 doi:10.1186/cc7793

Published: 20 May 2009

Abstract

Catheter-related bloodstream infection is one of the most serious complications of central venous access devices. Antimicrobial-coated catheters represent one novel strategy to prevent catheter-related bloodstream infection. A comprehensive economic evaluation is essential to guide informed decision-making regarding the adoption of this technology and its expected benefits in healthcare institutions.