Variations in Strategies to Prevent Ventriculostomy-Related Infections: A Practice Survey

Background and purpose: The ideal strategy to prevent infections in patients with external ventricular drains (EVDs) is unclear.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of members of the Neurocritical Care Society on infection prevention practices for patients with EVDs between April and July 2015.

Results: The survey was completed by 52 individuals (5% response rate). Catheter selection, use of prolonged prophylactic systemic antibiotics (PPSAs), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection policies, location of EVD placement, and performance of routine EVD exchanges varied. Antibiotic-impregnated catheters (AICs) and conventional catheters (CCs) were used with similar frequency, but no respondents reported routine use of silver-impregnated catheters (SICs). The majority of respondents were either neutral or disagreed with the need for PPSA with all catheter types (CC: 75%, AIC: 85%, and SIC: 87%). Despite this, 55% of the respondents reported PPSAs were routinely administered to patients with EVDs at their institutions. The majority (80%) of the respondents reported CSF collection only on an as-needed basis. The EVD placement was restricted to the operating room at 27% of the respondents' institutions. Only 2 respondents (4%) reported that routine EVD exchanges were performed at their institution.

Conclusion: Practice patterns demonstrate that institutions use varying strategies to prevent ventriculostomy-related infections. Identification and further study of optimum care for these patients are essential to decrease the risk of complications and to aid development of practice standards.