@JoePinero
Every critical care physician scoffs at the idea of placing a femoral central line, but are they correct? Do femoral central lines actually cause more infections than other sites?
We take this to be set in stone, when in fact, it is very likely not to be. Reviewing the data over the past 15 years shows only 1 study that supports this, and it is from 2001 – during the time before checklists, critical care bundles and ultrasounds. The other study supported this “dirty femoral line” claim by showing that when you take a central line catheter tip from the fem site vs subclavian, the line is more often than not colonized with some form of bacteria. However, when reviewing patient outcomes, there was no difference in clinically significant infection-rates.
The next time to reach for that TLC kit, consider using the dirty femoral site. What actually seems to matter most is teaching people good TLC care, proper placement, critical care bundles, and hand hygiene.
