A NEW HAEMODIALYSIS CATHETER-LOCKING AGENT REDUCES INFECTIONS IN HAEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS

Background: Intravenous catheters for haemodialysis increase the risk of sepsis. This study investigates the use of a taurolidine/citrate catheter-locking agent for patients receiving hospital-based haemodialysis, auditing the number and cost of infections before and after its introduction. Methods: The incidence and cost of treatment of catheter sepsis occurring in all patients receiving haemodialysis via a line were investigated over 6-month periods before and after introducing the taurolidine/citrate line-locking agent. Results: A reduction of 4.62 infections per 1000 catheter days, or 88.5%, was shown after the introduction of the new line-locking agent. The total costs of line infections in the first 6 months were epsilon 52 500, (41 pound 000); after the introduction of the taurolidine/citrate locks, these reduced to epsilon 33 300, (26 pound 000), a reduction of epsilon 19 200 (15 pound 000). Conclusions: The use of a taurolidine/citrate haemodialysis catheter-locking agent in our haemodialysis population has significantly reduced the line sepsis rate, with a positive impact on morbidity, mortality and cost.