A number of factors may increase the risk of a CNS infusion pump becoming infected. These may be particularly important in pediatric patients with spasticity. The authors are from Evangelismos General Hospital in Athens.
Risk factors for infection of a CNS infusion pump:
(1) malnutrition
(2) poor personal hygiene
(3) poor nursing care
(4) large, bulky pump
(5) immunodeficiency or immunosuppression
Skin breakdown over the pump can be a major problem, especially when combined with poor wound healing. A malnourished patient tends to have very little subcutaneous fat, which may contribute to increased stress to the skin over the infusion pump.
Most of these risk factors are amenable to interventions that can reduce the risk of infection.
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