A new study published in the American Journal of Infection Control demonstrates an association between intensive care unit-acquired central line-associated bloodstream infections and higher in-hospital mortality.
The authors of the study used data from the infection prevention databases in a 45-bed adult ICU, focusing on all non-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation ICU admissions requiring a central venous catheter and lasting more than 48 hours between July 2008 and April 2014.
All total, more than 6,300 admissions were included.
Highlighted below are three findings from the study:
1. Of the admissions included in the study, 46 cases of ICU-acquired CLABSI were identified, and there was an overall CLABSI rate of 1.12 per 1,000 ICU CVC-days.
2. Significant independent risk factors for ICU-acquired CLABSI include:
- Double lumen catheter insertion
- Central venous catheter exposure for longer than 7 days
- Central venous catheter insertion before 2011
3. ICU-acquired CLABSI was independently associated with greater in-hospital mortality, although this link was less strong once the researchers adjusted the data to include the propensity to develop a CLABSI.
Ultimately, the study concluded, "The requirement for prolonged specialized central venous access appears to be a key risk factor for ICU-acquired CLABSI, and likely informs mortality as a marker of persistent organ dysfunction."
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