WHO has published the first global guidelines to prevent bloodstream and other infections caused by use of catheter placed in minor blood vessels during medical procedures.
Poor practices in the insertion, maintenance, and removal of these catheters carry a high risk of introducing germs directly to the bloodstream.
It may lead to serious conditions such as sepsis, and difficult-to-treat complications in major organs like the brain and kidneys.
Soft tissue infections at the insertion site of the catheter can also occur.
WHO estimated that between 2000–2018, average mortality among patients affected by health care-associated sepsis was 24.4%.
It was increasing to 52.3% among patients treated in intensive care units.
The new guidelines include 14 good practice statements and 23 recommendations on key areas for health workers.