title: Incidence of non-tunnelled central venous catheter-related infections in oncologic patients receiving chemotherapy in an outpatient setting.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Central venous catheters (CVCs) are becoming more popular for delivery of outpatient courses of intravenous therapy such as chemotherapy and long-term antibiotics. The incidence of non-tunnelled type CVC-related infections in patients with solid tumours receiving chemotherapy in an ambulatory setting has not been well studied. We aimed to determine the baseline data on CVC-related infections in this retrospective study conducted from January 2005 to December 2007.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data on cancer patients with CVCs inserted as outpatients at National Cancer Centre Singapore over a three-year period were collected and analysed retrospectively. Data retrieved from medical records included patients' demographics, the number of catheter days, cancer type and other medical illnesses. Definitions from the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention for CVC-related infections were used. For data analysis, graphical and quantitative techniques were employed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 88 CVCs were inserted during the study period, with a total of 11,541 catheter days (median 114; range 2-510 days). Infection rate was 0.87 per 1,000 catheter days. The risk of infection was higher when catheters were left in situ for longer periods of time and in patients with solid tumours.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The infection rate for non-tunnelled type CVCs is low in our centre. Hence, its use for chemotherapy on an outpatient basis is relatively safe and convenient in oncologic patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Centre, Singapore. preetha@nccs.com.sg
authors.forename: Preetha
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Madhukumar
authors.forename: Guek Yoong Moon
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Loh
authors.forename: Zaw Aung Tun
authors.initials: ZA
authors.lastname: Maung
authors.forename: Foong Sin Alice
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Chua
authors.forename: Jian Jiun
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D055499:Catheter-Related Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D062905:Central Venous Catheters / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents