Epidemiology of Intrahospital Infections Due to the use of Central Venous Catheters

Abstract

Nosocomial infections due to the use of central venous catheters are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in developed and developing countries; the most frequent is nosocomial bacteremia. Objective: To determine the frequency of nosocomial infections related to use of central venous catheters in patients at the University Hospital Complex “Ruiz y Páez” in Ciudad Bolivar, State of Bolivar, Venezuela. Methods: Thirty-one patients with central venous catheters treated in the services for Surgery, Medicine, Adult Emergency, and the Intensive Care and Dialysis Units were studied during the period May to September, 2008. Results: It was observed that 13 (41.90%) patients had some type of nosocomial infection; nosocomial bacteremia was the most frequent in 6 patients (46.15%), followed by infection of the entry point or connection of the central venous catheters (4 patients; 30.80%). The most common microorganisms were gram-positive bacteria, predominantly Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase negative staphylococci. The hospital service with the highest incidence of cases was the Intensive Care Unit with 30.80%. The most important risk factors were prolonged catheterization 4days and the severity of the underlying disease, among others. Conclusions: Nosocomial infections occasioned by the use of central venous catheters are common and must be diagnosed by clinical and microbiological results. The placement techniques and management of catheters by medical and nursing staff must be monitored.

Keywords

• infecciones intrahospitalarias
• infecciones nosocomiales
• catéter venoso central