Bibliographic information
GuidelineGuidelines for the prevention of bloodstream infections and other infections associated with the use of intravascular catheters: part 2: central venous catheters
Year of Publication2026
Issuing InstitutionWorld Health Organization
Recommendation
New
WHO suggests not using IV prophylactic antibiotics in adults, adolescents, children and neonates with short- and long-term catheters.(Short- and long-term catheters)
Recommended against
Conditional
Certainty of evidence
Very low
Notes and Remarks
- The GDG members discussed short- and long-term catheters separately. However, the final recommendation and the decision-making process arrived at the same conclusions for both types of catheters.
- GDG members also voiced their concerns about the inappropriate use of antibiotics and its impact on AMR. They also highlighted the increased risk of Clostridium difficile infections and the potential for adverse events related to antibiotic use.
- The GDG recognized that there may be rare instances where IV antibiotics are used in current practice and might occasionally be considered, such as during the exchange of tunnelled lines in renal dialysis patients. However, no systematic reviews were conducted to support this claim.