Inpatient Peripherally Inserted Central Venous Catheter Complications: Should Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Lines be Placed in the Intensive Care Unit Setting?

2017 ◽  
Vol 83 (8) ◽  
pp. 925-927 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Martyak ◽  
Ishraq Kabir ◽  
Rebecca Britt

Peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICCs) are now commonly used for central access in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting; however, there is a paucity of data evaluating the complication rates associated with these lines. We performed a retrospective review of all PICCs placed in the inpatient setting at our institution during a 1-year period from January 2013 to December 2013. These were divided into two groups: those placed at the bedside in the ICU and those placed by interventional radiology in non-ICU patients. Data regarding infectious and thrombotic complications were collected and evaluated. During the study period, 1209 PICC line placements met inclusion criteria and were evaluated; 1038 were placed by interventional radiology in non-ICU patients, and 171 were placed at the bedside in ICU patients. The combined thrombotic and central line associated blood stream infection rate was 6.17 per cent in the non-ICU group and 10.53 per cent in the ICU group (P = 0.035). The thrombotic complication rate was 5.88 per cent in the non-ICU group and 7.60 per cent in the ICU group (P = 0.38), whereas the central line associated blood stream infection rate was 0.29 per cent in the non-ICU group and 2.92 per cent in the ICU group (P = 0.002). This study seems to suggest that PICC lines placed at the bedside in the ICU setting are associated with higher complication rates, in particular infectious complications, than those placed by interventional radiology in non-ICU patients. The routine placement of PICC lines in the ICU settings needs to be reevaluated given these findings.

2011 ◽  
Vol 77 (8) ◽  
pp. 1038-1042 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason W. Smith ◽  
Michael Egger ◽  
Glen Franklin ◽  
Brian Harbrecht ◽  
J. David Richardson

Blood stream infections in the critically ill are a common cause of morbidity. Strict adherence to sterile technique can reduce central line-associated blood stream infections (CLBSIs) and has become a quality improvement measure. We did a retrospective review of 6,014 trauma admissions representing 10,370 catheter days. CLBSI was defined as a positive blood culture with central venous access without evidence of other infectious sources. Thirty-five CLBSIs were identified in the study period (3.26/1,000 line days). The average Injury Severity Score was 32, the average intensive care unit stay was 24 days, and the average overall length of stay was 34 days, which is higher than that of nonCLBSI patients. In 25/35 cases, there was a break in sterile technique during central venous catheter placement (71%). Of the 25 cases, 16 of them were performed in the intensive care unit (64%), five in the operating room (20%), and four in the emergency department (16%). Twenty of the 35 patients with CLBSI (57%) had a total of 24 infections, a 2-fold increase in infectious complications for a given Injury Severity Score. Seventeen (17) of the 25 “dirty” central lines (68%) were changed within 24 hours in an effort to reduce the risk of CLBSI without success. A large percentage of CLBSI can be traced to the initial placement of a central venous line under less than ideal sterile technique. Changing a line within 24 hours may not be sufficient to reduce the risk of CLBSI. Every effort should be made to adhere to proper sterile technique while placing central venous catheter.


2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (8) ◽  
pp. S37-S42
Author(s):  
France Paquet ◽  
Janette Morlese ◽  
Charles Frenette

This article reports the results of a pre-post study conducted in a trauma-medical-surgical intensive care unit (ICU) regarding dressings of central venous access devices (CVADs) for the reduction of central line-associated blood stream infection (CLABSI) and improvement of adherence and integrity of the dressing. Available evidence indicates that dry dressings changed every 48 hours are equivalent to transparent dressings, changed when soiled or loose, or routinely every seven days. In our intensive care unit, where the majority of CVADs are inserted in the internal jugular vein and where there is an important usage of cervical collars, we questioned if dry dressings would be more appropriate than transparent dressings. Results: In the 12 months following the change in practice, we noted a CLABSI reduction from 2.36/1,000 catheter days to zero, improvement in dressing audits from 19.61% to 85.34% of clean dressings (P=0.00001) and 62.75% to 90.58% of adherent dressings. Conclusion: In this pre-post study, a simple change in dressing type was implemented, resulting in a significant reduction in the CLABSI rate.


2012 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 210-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chuck Ramirez ◽  
Antonina M. Lee ◽  
Ken Welch

Abstract Background: Central line-associated blood stream infection (CLABSI) rates in adult care intensive care units have been decreasing across the board. However, we continued to see just a few infections in patients whose catheters are in for >4 days. Therefore, we looked at infections associated with intraluminal contamination to help reduce our infection rate. Methods: A protective cap trial was developed and implemented in 2 intensive care units. All of the central venous catheter and intravenous tubing access valves were covered with a protective cap saturated with alcohol. This intervention eliminated the need to wipe off intravenous access points with an alcohol swab. The study was done as a nonrandomized prospective trial occurring March 1, 2011 through February 29, 2012. Results: During 2010, there were 4 CLABSI-related infections. By the end of the trial, we had incurred 1 catheter-associated blood stream infection. CLABSI rate reduced from 1.9 in 2010 to 0.5 during the 1-year trial period. Conclusions: The implementation of the port protector cap system resulted in lower infection rates compared with an alcohol swab technique. Our results indicate that consistent use of the caps in tandem with strict compliance does influence CLABSI rates.


2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 455-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabrizio Poletti ◽  
Claudio Coccino ◽  
Davide Monolo ◽  
Paolo Crespi ◽  
Giorgio Ciccioli ◽  
...  

Purpose: Patients admitted to cardiac intensive care unit need administration of drugs intravenously often in concomitance of therapeutic techniques such as non-invasive ventilation, continuous renal replacement therapy and intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation. Therefore, the insertion of central venous catheters provides a reliable access for delivering medications, laboratory testing and hemodynamic monitoring, but it is associated with the risk of important complications. In our study, we tested the efficacy and safety of peripherally inserted central catheters to manage cardiac intensive care. Methods: All patients admitted to cardiac intensive care unit with indication for elective central venous access were checked by venous arm ultrasound for peripherally inserted central catheter’s implantation. Peripherally inserted central catheters were inserted by ultrasound-guided puncture. After 7 days from the catheter’s placement and at the removal, vascular ultrasound examination was performed searching signs of upper extremity deep venous thrombosis. In case of sepsis, blood cultures peripherally from the catheter and direct culture of the tip of the catheter were done to establish a catheter-related blood stream infection. Results: In our cardiac intensive care unit, 137 peripherally inserted central catheters were placed: 80.3% of patients eligible for a peripherally inserted central catheter were implanted. The rate of symptomatic catheter-related peripheral venous thrombosis was 1.4%. Catheter-related blood stream infection was diagnosed in one patient (0.7%; 5.7 × 1000 peripherally inserted central catheter days). All peripherally inserted central catheters were inserted successfully without other major complications. Conclusions: In patients admitted to cardiac intensive care unit, peripherally inserted central catheters’ insertion was feasible in a high percentage of patients and was associated with low infective complications and clinical thrombosis rate.


2015 ◽  
Vol 06 (04) ◽  
pp. 611-618 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. H. Flatow ◽  
N. Ibragimova ◽  
C. M. Divino ◽  
D. S. A. Eshak ◽  
B. C. Twohig ◽  
...  

Summary Background: The electronic health record (EHR) is increasingly viewed as a means to provide more coordinated, patient-centered care. Few studies consider the impact of EHRs on quality of care in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting. Objectives: To evaluate key quality measures of a surgical intensive care unit (SICU) following implementation of the Epic EHR system in a tertiary hospital. Methods: A retrospective chart review was undertaken to record quality indicators for all patients admitted to the SICU two years before and two years after EHR implementation. Data from the twelve-month period of transition to EHR was excluded. We collected length of stay, mortality, central line associated blood stream infection (CLABSI) rates, Clostridium difficile (C. diff.) colitis rates, readmission rates, and number of coded diagnoses. To control for variation in the patient population over time, the case mix indexes (CMIs) and APACHE II scores were also analyzed. Results: There was no significant difference in length of stay, C. diff. colitis, readmission rates, or case mix index before and after EHR. After EHR implementation, the rate of central line blood stream infection (CLABSI) per 1 000 catheter days was 85% lower (2.16 vs 0.39; RR, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.05 to 0.61, p < .005), and SICU mortality was 28% lower (12.2 vs 8.8; RR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.71, p < .01). Moreover, after EHR there was a significant increase in the average number of coded diagnoses from 17.8 to 20.8 (p < .000). Conclusions: EHR implementation was statistically associated with reductions in CLABSI rates and SICU mortality. The EHR had an integral role in ongoing quality improvement endeavors which may explain the changes in CLABSI and mortality, and this invites further study of the impact of EHRs on quality of care in the ICU.


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