Management of Catheter-Related Complications

Catheter Maintenance and Replacement

• Flushing the catheter with sterile 0.9% sodium chloride can confirm patency and is recommended as part of catheter maintenance 1
• If obstruction is present, attempting clearance with appropriate solutions or replacing the catheter is necessary 1
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using sterile technique with appropriate antiseptic preparation during catheter insertion, and applying sterile gauze or transparent semi-permeable dressing to cover the catheter insertion site 2, 3

Infection Prevention and Monitoring

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises against using topical antibiotic ointment on the catheter insertion site, as this promotes fungal infections and antimicrobial resistance 2, 3
• Regular visual inspection of the catheter site for signs of infection, including erythema, tenderness, or purulent drainage, is recommended 2
• Monitoring for systemic signs of infection, such as fever or clinical deterioration, is crucial 4, 5

Special Considerations

• The American Academy of Pediatrics and other guideline societies note that children have higher rates of catheter-related complications and require closer monitoring than adults 5