title: Subclavian catheter infections.
abstract: We retrospectively studied subclavian catheter infection rates involving 481 patients from October 1983 to September 1985. Over this period of time 496 subclavian catheters including 252 single lumen catheters (SLC) and 244 triple lumen catheters (TLC) were inserted. These studies involved all catheters inserted during the 24-month period. The Methodist Hospital IV Team regularly cared for and recorded catheter-related problems. Charts were then retrospectively reviewed and data accumulated. The incidence of catheter tip infections in SLC was 4/248 (1.6%) compared to an incidence of 12/232 (4.9%) for TLC, p = 0.065. There was no significant difference between the incidence of infections at the insertion site of TLCs, 1/243 and SLCs, 1/251. We believe that the increase in catheter-related infections in the TLC is related to the increased utilization afforded by the multiple injection ports.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Nebraska Methodist Hospital, Omaha.
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Rose
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Pitsch
authors.forename: F W
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Karrer
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Moor
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D013350:Subclavian Vein