A. Hemodialysis patients with catheters have a 2-3 fold increased risk of infection and death compared to patients with arteriovenous fistulas or grafts.
B. Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) in hemodialysis patients can be treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics targeting gram-positive and gram-negative organisms. The catheter should be removed to treat CRBSIs, with the exception of salvaging certain catheters using antibiotic lock therapy along with systemic antibiotics.
C. Treatment duration depends on the infecting organism but is typically 10-14 days after symptoms and blood cultures resolve, up to 4-6 weeks for infections like endocarditis. Catheter