Fwd: Re: catheter cultures

[Jennifer Kettle]

>>> Jennifer Kettle 6/1/2006 3:40:46 PM >>> I was told by the director of my department that the segment culture was to correlate with the tip culture. If both are found positive for the same bug then we would theoretically know that the bug had migrated from the insertion site and that the catheter was not colonized r/t another unrelated infection that the patient has. I understood it to be an attempt to try to define where the colonization came from. This makes me think that it may help our cause in that many times it doesn't come from the actual site itself. On the other hand, if it does then we need to know that too for educational purposes  in order to improve bedside nurses knowledge about the care and maintenance of these lines. We try to culture the site if it is appropriate based on drainage, etc. which I sure hate to ever see. Thanks. Everyone has been so helpful and it is appreciated.  Jenny >>> "Christine NAYLOR" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 6/1/2006 1:56:40 PM >>> A skin segment would be for an infected site. The catheter tip would be more of what is going on with the catheter and blood stream. chris Chris Naylor RN, CRNI [EMAIL PROTECTED] PICC/PRN Team Managerr Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital 1165 Montgomery Dr. 1W07 707-522-1591 Santa Rosa, CA 95405 FAX 707-525-5378 Consistency,Responsibility,Harmony, Achiever, Relator >>> "Jennifer Kettle" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 5/31/2006 6:16 PM >>> 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 Notice from St.Joseph Health System: Please note that the information contained in this message may be privileged and confidential and protected from disclosure.