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 schedule of regular changing of the central venous catheter (CVC) administration set (tubing/giving) every 7 days over other schedules (2, 3, 4 days) when administering routine IV fluids only in adults, adolescents, children and neonates. (Short- and long-term catheters) (All population)
Recommended in favor
Conditional
Certainty of evidence
Low
Notes and Remarks
- The GDG noted that the purpose of the intervention was to evaluate whether extending the duration between changes leads to a higher incidence of infections.
- Some GDG members stated that regular changing of the CVC administration set every 7 days is the standard in many health care facilities, especially in HICs. Other GDG members reported that changing every 2-3 days is still common practice in LMICs.
- A sterile technique should be ensured when changing the administration (tubing/giving) set for a CVC.