Guidelines for the prevention of bloodstream infections and other infections associated with the use of intravascular catheters: part I: peripheral catheters

Overview

In the context of the prevention of infections associated with IV catheters, these guidelines (Part 1) provide guidance on best practices for the prevention of BSIs and other infections associated with peripherally-inserted IV catheters, while a subsequent WHO guideline (Part 2) to be developed in 2024 will cover centrally-inserted intravascular catheters. In particular, Part 1 of the Guidelines outlines an evidence-informed approach to the management (namely, insertion, maintenance, access and removal) of peripherally-inserted intravascular catheters, including PIVCs, PICCs and PACs, in three patient populations (adults, adolescents-children and neonates) during the provision of health care in any health care settings, including acute and long-term health care facilities and primary care settings.

The intended audience for these guidelines is clinicians (that is, doctors, nurses, IPC professionals, etc.) involved in the management of patients who require intravascular catheters. However, to ensure an appropriate, practical, clinical adherence to the guidelines, hospital administrators and other professionals involved in health care need to understand their importance and the focus of the recommendations to ensure appropriate support for clinicians. Patients are also part of the audience of these guidelines as they need to be generally informed about practices performed for their care and, in some cases, understand the choice of the intervention(s).