Preventing infection in intravenous therapy.

Any part of an infusion system--not just the cannula, its most distal portion--may be at fault when sepsis complicates IV therapy. Detailed here are both intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms by which contamination may occur; recommendations such as more widespread use of steel scalp needles and early termination of infusions are given. The special requirements of total parenteral nutrition systems are defined.