Dialysis Catheter Infection

Dialysis catheter infections are one of the most common complications of both hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Most dialysis centers teach patients care techniques to minimize infection occurrence. Ultimately, emphasis must be placed on infection prevention, rather than treatment.

Fact

• Catheter-related infections are the number one cause of catheter failure and replacement.

Causes

• Catheter infections are typically caused by Staphylococcus Aureus, commonly found bacteria on the surface of the skin. These infections may affect the catheter exit site, cuff or tunnel.

Prevention

• Simple, routine procedures can help to reduce the risk of catheter infections. These include hand washing, keeping the catheter site dry and clean, changing catheter dressings and avoiding catheter trauma.

Treatment

• Catheter infections are typically treated with a course of IV antibiotics and/or pills. If antibiotic therapy doesn't resolve the infection, the catheter may need to be removed.

Considerations

• Hemodialysis patients should explore all aspects of blood access before deciding on a catheter. Although there are conflicting schools of thought on the issue, many experts believe that catheters should only be used on a temporary basis until another access type can be inserted.