The purpose and/or hypothesis: To decrease the amount of external ventricular drain (EVD) related catheter infections by comparing the efficacy of Oklahoma University Medicine standard EVD catheters, both impregnated and non-impregnated, in three principle areas: incidence of infection, cost analysis, and average durations of placement, all while maintaining the standards of technique.

Brief Title

Quality Control: A Prospective Analysis of EVD Effectiveness

Official Title

Quality Control: A Prospective Analysis of External Ventricular Drain (EVD) Effectiveness

Brief Summary

The purpose and/or hypothesis: To decrease the amount of external ventricular drain (EVD)<br /> related catheter infections by comparing the efficacy of Oklahoma University Medicine<br /> standard EVD catheters, both impregnated and non-impregnated, in three principle areas:<br /> incidence of infection, cost analysis, and average durations of placement, all while<br /> maintaining the standards of technique.

Detailed Description

Experimental design: Track external ventricular drain (EVD) associated infections and through
quality prospective analysis and compare the usage of standard catheters used by the
department here at Oklahoma University, 1) the 35cm Codman Bactiseal rifampin and clindamycin
impregnated catheter, 2) the Ventriclear EVD Antibiotic Catheter, and 3) the 36 cm Integra
Hermatic large style ventricular catheter, in terms of incidence of infections, cost,
duration of placement, and differences in placement technique.

Proposed procedure: Monitor for infections associated with and related to EVD placement in
patients and assess if infections rates are affected by usage of antibiotic impregnated EVD
catheters.

Importance of knowledge reasonably expected to result from the research: While use of sterile
techniques and periprocedural antibiotics have traditionally been used to combat infection,
infection rates remain above goal leading to the question of whether the antibiotic
impregnated catheter should be added to the standard of care. With the knowledge gained, the
investigators hope to decrease the amount of external ventricular drain related catheter
infections and reduce use of prolonged antibiotics.

Outcome Measures

Outcome measures are the tests that investigators perform to prove whether or not a treatment being tested in a clinical trial is having any effect.