Clinical research studyPICC-associated Bloodstream Infections: Prevalence, Patterns, and Predictors
Section snippets
Methods
Using records obtained from our vascular access nursing team, we assembled a cohort of consecutive adult, hospitalized patients who underwent insertion of a PICC from June 1, 2009 to June 30, 2012 at our 145-bed, academic Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center. Clinical data such as indication for insertion, number of attempts, vein and arm of insertion, and type of PICC were abstracted from electronic medical records. Information about patient comorbidities, medications and dosages, disposition,
Results
Between June 2009 and July 2012, 966 PICCs were inserted in 747 unique patients, accounting for a total of 26,887 catheter days. The majority of patients who underwent insertion were male (98%), with a median duration of PICC use of 21 days (95% CI, 19-23 days). Most PICCs were placed by vascular access nurses (n = 823; 85%); only 15% (n = 143) were placed by interventional radiology when bedside insertion was not successful or appropriate. The most common indications for PICC insertion
Discussion
Although national data suggest marked reduction in the rate of central line-associated bloodstream infection,7 this hospital-acquired infection remains an important, preventable cause of patient harm in hospitalized settings.8 Notably, little is known about the risk of PICC-associated bloodstream infection in hospital and critical care settings.9 Using a combination of clinical and administrative data and informed by a conceptual model for PICC complications, we found that this adverse event is
Conclusion
We believe this work has important policy and patient safety implications. First, placement of PICCs in critically ill patients appears unwise and should be avoided given the inherent risk of infection in this population. When clinically necessary, the placement of antimicrobial catheters or chlorhexidine-impregnated dressings may be appropriate to prevent PICC-associated bloodstream infections in this context.25 Further, placement of multi-lumen PICCs appears to significantly increase the risk
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The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States government.
Funding: This work was supported by Locally Initiated Project (LIP) Award #41-127 from the Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System. VC is supported by Early Career Awards from the Society of Hospital Medicine and the Research Career Development Core of the Claude D. Pepper Older Adults Independence Center at the University of Michigan.
Conflicts of Interest: None.
Authorship: All authors had access to the data and played a role in writing this manuscript.