Antimicrobial lock solutions are effective in reducing risk of central-line-associated bloodstream infections, according to a study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases.
Researchers examined 23 studies, which reported data on 2,896 patients, who were predominantly adult hemodialysis patients. The studies also included data on adult and pediatric oncology patients, critically ill neonates and patients receiving total parenteral nutrition.
The study found that the use of the antimicrobial lock solutions led to a 69 percent reduction in CLABSI rate and a 32 percent reduction in exit-site infections rate as compared to heparin. All-cause mortality was not different between the group that received the lock solutions and the group that didn't.
More articles on quality:
Hand hygiene education programs: Is once enough?
3rd American missionary contracts Ebola in Liberia
HHS contracts with Mapp on accelerated Ebola treatment development