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 using a sterile technique involving maximal sterile barrier precautions over a sterile technique not involving maximal sterile barrier precautions at the time of central venous catheter (CVC) insertion in adults, adolescents, children and neonates. (Short- and long-term catheters) (All population)
Recommended in favor
Conditional
Certainty of evidence
Very low
Notes and Remarks
- Maximal sterile barrier precautions: sterile barrier precautions that include the use of a cap, mask, sterile gown, sterile gloves and a sterile full body drape (11).
- Sterile technique is defined as a set of specific practices and procedures performed to make equipment and areas free from all microorganisms and to maintain that sterility (11).
- GDG members acknowledged that the above definition of sterile technique as comparator also seems to be generic and it may not provide enough practical details.
- Ensure adequate training, understanding and competency in the application of maximal sterile barriers precautions.
- The GDG discussed the need for a dedicated procedure room for line insertion and noted that this is not practical for critically-ill patients and may be an issue in some health care facilities, particularly in LMICs. Furthermore, it is not part of the current definition of maximal sterile barrier precautions.