Hi all, great discussion from last week. The question posted is a week late but I guess still pertinent
1. Do practices routinely apply mupirocin ointment or gentamicin ointment to catheter exit site with denovo catheter insertions or same tunnel/different tunnel catheter exchanges?
2. Is there any role of screening for MRSA in nares prior to catheter insertion/exchanges and does that change management if pt is MRSA positive (e.g delay insertion if possible until pt treated and MRSA negative or longer duration of topical ointment at cath insertion site if cath insertion cannot be delayed)
3. We usually AB prophylax for catheter exchanges. What is the practice of AB prophylaxis for patients with mechanical heart valves ( metal and non-metal - i.e bovine)? I usually prophylax for metal valves but not for bovine

Qs 3. meant to ask if prophylactic AB should be given with denovo catheter insertion for patients with mechanical heart valves.
Thank you

Sulaiman
Peoria, IL