title: "Proactive" management of percutaneously inserted central catheters results in decreased incidence of infection in the ELBW population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants often acquire catheter-related infections (CRIs) when a percutaneously inserted central catheter (PICC) is used for parenteral nutrition or drug administration. Our objective was to compare the incidence of CRIs after we established a "PICC Maintenance Team" for the proactive management--compared to expectant management--of these lines.
  
  
  METHODS
  We did a prospective collection and analysis of catheter-related sepsis data over a 15-month period from February 1, 1998 through May 1, 1999. Eligible patients included all neonates weighing <1000 g at birth.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significantly decreased incidence of CRIs, to a rate of 7.1%, or 5.1/1000 catheter days (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  "Proactive" management of PICC, significantly reduced the incidence of CRIs. The reduction in infection rate is estimated to save 180 hospitalized patient days/100 very low birth weight neonates, with a concomitant savings in morbidity and medical expense.
authors.affiliation: The Regional Neonatal Center, New York Medical College, Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA.
authors.forename: Sergio G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Golombek
authors.forename: Annie J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Rohan
authors.forename: Boriana
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Parvez
authors.forename: Anne L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Salice
authors.forename: Edmund F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: LaGamma
mesh_terms: D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018805:Sepsis / Q000517:prevention & control*