Catheter-related bloodstream infections and dental treatment

Do you still come across surprised patients when clinicians explain that guidelines regarding antibiotic prophylaxis against infective endocarditis have changed? There is no doubt that patient information regarding this hotly debated topic has improved in the years following National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines, but one must also appreciate that guidelines ought to be based on the best and most contemporaneous evidence that is available.

Patients with intestinal failure rely on home parenteral (intravenous) nutrition to meet their everyday fluid, energy and nutritional needs. This requires a central venous catheter, the tip of which is positioned at the junction of the superior vena cava and right atrium. While few of us are likely to encounter this group of patients, an appreciation of other colleagues’ work and difficulties in decision-making provides informative background knowledge for everyone.