Indwelling medical devices include items such as urinary catheters, vascular access devices, endotracheal tubes, tracheostomies, enteral feeding tubes and wound drains. Indwelling medical devices can be associated with an increased risk of healthcare associated infection.
Prevention of healthcare associated infection, including those associated with the use of indwelling medical devices, is a high priority patient safety issue covered under Preventing and Controlling Infections standard of the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards.
Include:
For further information on the management of indwelling devices, contact SA Health's Infection Control Service on (08) 7425 7161.
