Risk factors and clinical impact of central line infections in the surgical intensive care unit.

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
CENTRAL LINE infection and resulting septicemia are associated with substantial morbidity, mortality rates of 10% to 20%, prolonged hospitalization (mean of 7 days), and an increase in medical costs.1-5 An estimated 200,000 nosocomial bloodstream infections occur each year, the majority associated with the presence of an intravascular catheter.6 Noncuffed central venous catheters account for more than 90% of all vascular catheter–related bloodstream infections.6 The diagnosis of infections associated with central venous catheter and catheter-associated bacteremia is difficult. Many published studies document the relationship between catheter infection and patient risk factors, such as the number of catheter lumens and catheter care.1-6

This publication has 18 references indexed in Scilit: