Catheter related blood stream infections – prevalence and interventions

Summary

Background.
Catheter related blood stream infections are a significant complication of intensive care with worldwide prevalence rate around 5 cases per 1000 catheter-days. Only scanty Czech data have been published. Our study monitored the occurrence of catheter-related blood stream infections in a high dependency unit of regional hospital.

Methods.
In 2008 we commenced to monitor the occurrence rate of catheter-related blood stream infections in short-term central venous catheters without antimicrobial coating. We organized a training session for medical staff and started to strictly adhere to published guidelines. After two years of keeping a register we analysed individual cases as proven, possible, or not proven blood stream infections.

Results.
From March 2008 to March 2010 we inserted 142 central venous catheters for total time of 1423 catheter days (median 9 days). Ten catheters were removed after median of 17 days due to unexplained pyrexia. Blood stream infection was proven in 4 cases and possible in 2 cases. We have noted total 2.81 proven cases, and 4.22 proven and/or possible cases of blood stream infection per 1000 catheter-days.

Conclusion.
The register of catheter related blood stream infections is an inexpensive and time-efficient tool that improves the quality of intensive care.

Key words:
catheter-related bloodstream infection, prevalence, hospital-acquired infection.

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