Contamination reduction during central venous catheterization

Abstract

This study examined a simple technique for reducing contamination during catheterization of the internal jugular vein. Sixty patients were assigned randomly to receive either a traditional iodophor skin cleansing or an alcohol cleansing, followed by application of an iodophor-impregnated sterile film. In the cleansed with iodophor alone group, 83% of the anesthesiologists' glove tips were contaminated, and 13% of the catheter tips were contaminated. In contrast, in the group in which the sterile film was employed, contamination of gloves and catheters was virtually eliminated.