title: The impact of antibiotic impregnated PICC lines on the incidence of bacteremia in a regional burn center.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) have been used increasingly in burn patients who often have decreased intravascular volumes and obtaining intravascular access for resuscitative efforts can be difficult. A potentially serious complication is bloodstream infection. The purpose of our study is to examine the impact of antibiotic impregnated PICC lines on the bacteremia rate in a regional burn center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive patients admitted to the burn unit and receiving an antibiotic impregnated PICC line were included in the study. Baseline demographics and bacteremia rate was recorded. A retrospective chart review was then undertaken of the 30 consecutive patients admitted to the burn unit and receiving a PICC line prior to the study period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nineteen patients were enrolled over the two-year period. The bacteremia rate for the study group was 0% compared to the 50% bacteremia rate of the retrospective control group (p=<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Antibiotic impregnated PICC lines decrease the bacteremia rate in our burn population. This has potential benefits for both patient morbidity and mortality as well as potential cost savings for the healthcare system.
authors.affiliation: GRMEP Plastic Surgery Resident, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA. shannonarmstrongmd@gmail.com
authors.forename: Shannon D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Armstrong
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Keith C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Neaman
authors.forename: Ronald D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Ford
authors.forename: Jayne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Paulson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002053:Burn Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D055499:Catheter-Related Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents