Reducing risks of infection during vascular access.

The insertion of an intravascular (i.v.) access device is a complicated, multistep procedure, posing risks of infection to both the patient and the healthcare worker. Patients are at risk for local or systemic bloodstream infections, and healthcare workers are at risk for occupationally acquired bloodborne pathogen infections from accidental needlestick injuries. This article summarizes the risks of i.v. device-related infectious complications in patients and highlights recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to reduce these risks. In addition, recent research data are presented on the risks of occupationally acquired bloodborne pathogen infections from accidental needlestick injuries from vascular access, the specific devices causing these injuries, strategies to reduce these risks, medical follow-up when injury does occur, and methods for conducting product evaluations.