Cross-sectional epidemiology of phlebitis and catheter-related infections.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the characteristics and the problems arising from the use of vascular catheterization in a general hospital and to identify avoidable risk factors associated with catheter-related infections.


METHODS
Cross-sectional, including the entire hospitalized population.


METHODS
A university-affiliated hospital.


RESULTS
Three-hundred fifty-three intravascular catheters were implanted in 315 of a total of 1,838 hospitalized patients (17.1%, confidence interval [CI] = 15.7-18.5). Of the 353 intravascular catheters, 26 (7.3%) were intra-arterial, 273 (77.3%) were peripheral, and 54 (15.3%) were central. The median (range) duration of the catheterization was 3 (1-11) days for arterial catheters, 1 (1-24) for peripheral catheters, and 5 (1-130) for central catheters. Fifty-three (15%, CI = 11.5-19.5) showed signs of infection. Independent risk factors associated with infection were the presence of infection located elsewhere (odds ratio [OR] = 8.7, CI = 4.13-18.3, p less than .0001), inappropriate catheter care (OR = 5.3, CI = 2.5-11.2, p less than .0001), inappropriate length of catheter use (OR = 3.5, CI = 1.4-9.02, p less than .01), and duration of hospitalization exceeding 14 days (OR = 2.6, CI = 0.9-7.83, p = .07).


CONCLUSIONS
The risk factors associated with catheter-related infections suggest that many are preventable by improved protocols for management. This hypothesis can easily be tested.
Ena
J
J
Internal Medicine Service, Hospital Gregorio Marañon, Madrid, Spain.
Cercenado
E
E
Martinez
D
D
Bouza
E
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000009:adverse effects; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D007239:Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010689:Phlebitis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors