• S J S Aghdassi, C Geffers, M Behnke, A Gropmann, P Gastmeier, and T S Kramer.
• Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Hygiene and Environmental Medicine, Berlin, Germany; National Reference Centre for Surveillance of Nosocomial Infections, Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: seven-johannes-sam.aghdassi@charite.de.
• J. Hosp. Infect. 2020 Jun 1; 105 (2): 311-318.

BackgroundDue to their frequent use, peripheral venous catheters (PVCs) are of importance in terms of catheter-related infections and their prevention. In 2017, revised national guidelines for the prevention of PVC-related infections were published in Germany.AimTo describe PVC handling practices and assess the implementation of national guidelines for the prevention of PVC-related infections in German acute care hospitals, 10 months after their release.MethodsAn online survey on the management of PVCs in hospital wards was conducted. For this, 1191 acute care hospitals participating in the national surveillance system for healthcare-associated infections in Germany were invited to participate. Each hospital was asked to complete the survey for an intensive care unit (ICU), as well as a medical ward and a surgical ward. Participation in the survey was voluntary.FindingsIn total, 701 hospitals (response rate 59%) participated and provided data on 1449 wards (599 ICUs, 446 medical wards, 404 surgical wards). Approximately 43% of wards reported that they had implemented the new national guidelines where necessary. Structured surveillance for PVC-associated infections was established in only 21% of wards. While 94% of wards reported the inclusion of aspects of PVC handling in their general infection prevention education, questions on the training methods yielded diverse results. Approximately 59% of wards reported that they did not routinely use a combination of alcohol and a remanant disinfectant for skin disinfection before PVC insertion.ConclusionGenerally, PVC management in Germany is well organized. However, potential for improvement was identified, particularly considering surveillance and implementation of selected national guidelines.Copyright © 2019 The Healthcare Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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