Swiss medical weekly
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Swiss medical weekly · Dec 1987
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial[Increased risk of bacterial colonization of intravenous catheters covered with transparent adhesive polyurethane bandages, compared to classical gauze bandages].
While transparent polyurethane dressings are increasingly used for the care of intravenous catheters, concern has recently been expressed regarding their microbiological safety. We have therefore compared the rate of intravenous catheter bacterial colonization after randomly assigning intensive care patients to transparent polyurethane (n = 21) or dry gauze (n = 20) dressings. Polyvinyl chloride catheters were inserted and maintained by the nurses. ⋯ Colonizing bacterial species were Staphylococcus epidermidis (11 strains) and S. aureus (1 strain). No catheter-related bacteremia was observed. These data suggest that the colonization rate of intravenous catheters is increased by the use of polyurethane dressings, possibly increasing the risk of septic phlebitis and bacteremia.