Colonization of the medial lumen is a risk factor for catheter-related bloodstream infection.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the colonization of each lumen and the risk factors for triple-lumen central venous catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBI).


METHODS
Prospective, observational study in the medical-surgical intensive care unit (ICU) of a teaching hospital.


METHODS
A total of 120 patients requiring the insertion of a triple-lumen catheter.


METHODS
Cultures of the catheter.


RESULTS
The catheters were removed when CRBI was suspected or at discharge from ICU. At the removal time, blood cultures, a swab of the insertion site and a culture of the catheter tip were performed. Furthermore, we made quantitative cultures of the proximal, medial and distal lumen. We diagnosed CRBI in six patients (3.35 CRBI/1,000 days at risk), and we observed that in these patients colonization of the medial lumen was more frequent (5/6) than in patients without CRBI (9/114; p = 0.0001). The logistic regression analysis showed that colonization of the medial lumen was an independent risk factor for CRBI (OR 28.1, 95% CI 2.2-364.9).


CONCLUSIONS
Colonization of the medial lumen is an independent risk factor for triple-lumen catheter-related bloodstream infection, possibly due to the absence of use of this lumen.
Sirvent
Josep-Maria
JM
Department of Intensive Care, Hospital Universitari de Girona Doctor Josep Trueta, Avda. de França s/n, 17007, Girona, Spain. uci.jmsirvent@htrueta.scs.es
Vidaur
Loreto
L
García
María
M
Ortiz
Patricia
P
de Batlle
Jordi
J
Motjé
Montserrat
M
Bonet
Alfons
A
D016470:Bacteremia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D020878:Device Removal; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric