Intravascular device related infections remain a serious problem in critical care setting. Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta has developed a novel guidelines for prevention of these infections in 1996. These guidelines were elaborated upon the basis of more than 400 published papers. We present the core sections of those guidelines. The first part covers the definitions, epidemiology, microbiology, pathogenesis and strategies to prevent catheter related infections. Second part is focused on concrete interventions in clinical practice – general precautions, those focused on peripherally inserted venous catheters, central venous and arterial catheters, hemodialysis central venous catheters, peripherally inserted arterial catheters and invasive pressure monitoring systems, umbilical catheters.

        Key words: catheter related sepsis – catheter related infection – blood stream infection – sepsis – central venous catheters