Respondents reported heterogeneous patterns of use of various
catheter materials. Hospital-wide use was most commonly reported
for latex-containing catheters (55%), followed by silicone catheters
(39%). Silver-coated catheters were a close third, with 35% of
respondents reporting their use hospital-wide. Of note, 59% of
hospitals reported some use of silver-coated catheters. Antibioticimpregnated
catheters were used only in selected patients (6%) and
on selected units (2%). Use of rubber and temperature-sensing catheterswas
reported only in selected patient populations (43% and 30%,
respectively) and on selected units (2% and 19%, respectively).