NURSING INTERVENTIONS TO PREVENT CENTRAL VENOUS CATHETER-ASSOCIATED INFECTIONS
Keywords:
central venous catheter; central line-associated bacteremia; healthcare-associated infections; bundle; nursing; preventionAbstract
DOI: https://doi.org/10.46296/gt.v9i17.0360
Abstract
Introduction: Central venous catheter (CVC)-associated infections, including central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI/CRBSI), increase hospital stay, costs, and mortality, especially in the ICU. Nursing plays a crucial role in prevention, both during insertion (asepsis, maximum barriers, and checklists) and maintenance (insertion site care, connector disinfection, lumen management, wound care, and monitoring). Objective: To synthesize the best available evidence on effective nursing interventions for preventing CVC-associated infections. Methods: Systematic review with narrative synthesis. International guidelines, systematic reviews/meta-analyses, and interventional studies were prioritized. A structured search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, and a targeted search was performed in official repositories (scientific societies and international organizations) up to December 2025. Results: Evidence supports bundles of measures with high adherence, combining hand hygiene, strict aseptic technique, skin antisepsis with alcohol-based chlorhexidine, maximum sterile barriers, appropriate site selection, and early removal of unnecessary catheters. For maintenance, rigorous disinfection of the hub/ports (scrub-the-hub or disinfectant caps), sterile dressings, daily site monitoring, and education with audits and feedback stand out. Recent meta-analyses report a reduction in catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) with chlorhexidine-impregnated dressings and chlorhexidine bathing programs in selected populations. Conclusion: The most effective nursing interventions are multimodal, standardized in bundles, and supported by training, monitoring, and a culture of safety.
Keywords: central venous catheter; central line-associated bacteremia; healthcare-associated infections; bundle; nursing; prevention.
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