Incidence of catheter-related infections within 30 days from insertion of Hickman-Broviac catheters

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the incidence of surgical site infections and bacteremias occurring within 30 days from insertion of partially implanted central venous catheters.

Patients and methods: Four hundred eighteen devices positioned in children with cancer or undergoing bone marrow transplant were followed prospectively.

Results: During a follow-up of 12,394 catheter-days, a total of 13 infectious episodes were documented, with an overall incidence of 3.1% and 1.05 episodes/1,000 catheter-days. Coagulase-negative staphylococci represented the causative pathogens of all episodes. Overall, surgical wound infections occurred in 1.4% of all catheters, with a rate of 0.48/1,000 catheter-days, while isolated bacteremias were observed in 1.7% of all inserted devices, with a rate of 0.57/1,000 catheter-days.

Conclusions: Infections are rare events within 30 days from insertion of partially implanted central venous catheters and coagulase-negative staphylococci represent the most frequently isolated cause of these complications.