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Comparative Study
. 2010 Mar;38(2):149-53.
doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2009.06.008.

Peripherally inserted central venous catheters in the acute care setting: A safe alternative to high-risk short-term central venous catheters

Basel Al Raiy  1 , Mohamad G Fakih, Nicole Bryan-Nomides, Debi Hopfner, Elizabeth Riegel, Trudy Nenninger, Janice Rey, Susan Szpunar, Pramodine Kale, Riad Khatib
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Peripherally inserted central venous catheters in the acute care setting: A safe alternative to high-risk short-term central venous catheters

Basel Al Raiy et al. Am J Infect Control. 2010 Mar.

Abstract

Background: Peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICCs) serve as an alternative to short-term central venous catheters (CVCs) for providing intravenous (IV) access in the hospital. It is not clear which device has a lower risk of central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI). We compared CVC- and PICC-related CLABSI rates in the setting of an intervention to remove high-risk CVCs.

Methods: We prospectively followed patients with CVCs in the non-intensive care units (ICUs) and those with PICCs hospital-wide. A team evaluated the need for the CVC and the risk of infection, recommended the discontinuation of unnecessary or high-risk CVCs, and suggested PICC insertion for patients requiring prolonged access. Data on age, gender, type of catheter, duration of catheter utilization, and the development of CLABSIs were obtained.

Results: A total of 638 CVCs were placed for 4917 catheter-days, during which 12 patients had a CLABSI, for a rate of 2.4 per 1000 catheter-days. A total of 622 PICCs were placed for 5703 catheter-days, during which 13 patients had a CLABSI, for a rate of 2.3 per 1000 catheter-days. The median time to development of infection was significantly longer in the patients with a PICC (23 vs 13 days; P=.03).

Conclusion: In the presence of active surveillance and intervention to remove unnecessary or high-risk CVCs, CVCs and PICCs had similar rates of CLABSIs. Given their longer time to the development of infection, PICCs may be a safe alternative for prolonged inpatient IV access.

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