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When culturing for suspected infusion-related infections is it necessary to obtain both the catheter tip AND the catheter skin segment for culture? I am still working to develop a standardized care set for our computer system to help make the diagnosis of suspected CRBSI easier as well as to encourage consistency. I am also a member of the infection control committee here. The infection control committee director (MD) does not feel that it is necessary and compliance with our current policy to obtain the skin segment is next to none anyhow. I am on the fence as I am having difficulty interpreting the 2006 standards in regard to this. We are also in the process of reviewing our current policy regarding this procedure. Standard #58 under practice criteria E. states, "When culturing a central vascular catheter segment, either the catheter tip or a subcutaneous segment should be submitted for culture." Why would one ever want to culture just the skin segment and not the tip? Don't you need at least the tip for culture? Any input is always appreciated. Thanks in advance. Jenny
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- catheter cultures Jennifer Kettle
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