Infection is one of the most common complications associated with a central venous catheter (Dougherty [63]). The catheter provides the ideal opportunity for micro‐organisms to either track along the outside of the catheter or be administered via the hub internally into the central venous system. Infections can occur locally on the skin at the insertion site, in the skin tunnel/port pocket or systemically (Wilkes [306]). Signs of infection at the insertion site include erythema, oedema, tracking along the length of the catheter, tenderness at the site, exudate such as pus and offensive smell (Wilkes [306]).

Septicaemia is a systemic infection which is usually characterized by pyrexia, flushing, sweating and rigors (rigors occur particularly when the catheter is flushed) (Wilkes [306]). Prevention consists of the use of good aseptic non‐touch technique and evidence‐based guidelines, for example the central venous catheter (CVC) care bundle (DH [60], Loveday et al. [153], Wilkes [306]), as well as the use of catheters with antiseptic properties, for example those that are impregnated, bonded or coated with antibiotics or chlorhexidine or the addition of chlorhexidine in an impregnated patch or integrated into a gel dressing (DH [59], Wilkes [306]). If the patient develops symptoms of an infection, site swabs should be taken along with blood cultures (from the device and peripheral veins). The needle should be removed from a port if there is a skin infection and the port should not be reaccessed until the infection has cleared (Wilkes [306]). Depending on the clinical condition of the patient, the CVAD may be removed and/or intravenous antibiotics may be commenced (Gorski et al. [94]).