Peripherally inserted central catheter-associated bloodstream infection: Risk factors and the role of antibiotic-impregnated catheters for prevention

Establishment of a risk prediction model for peripherally inserted central catheter-related bloodstream infections based on a systematic review and meta-analysis of 20 cohorts

BACKGROUND

Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are commonly used for extended intravenous therapy but are associated with a significant risk of bloodstream infections (BSIs), which increase morbidity and healthcare costs.

AIM

The aim of this study was to identify patients at high risk of developing PICC-related bloodstream infections (PICC-RBSIs) to establish new and more specific targets for precise prevention and intervention.

METHODS

A search was conducted from the earliest available record to May 2024 among the following databases: Embase, MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Web of Science, Scopus, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Hand searching for gray literature and reference lists of included papers was also performed. We assessed the quality of the studies using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) checklist. Two reviewers screened all the retrieved articles, extracted the data, and critically appraised the studies. Data analysis was performed using RevMan statistical software.

RESULTS

A total of 20 cohort studies involving 51,907 individuals were included in the analysis. The statistically significant risk factors identified were hospital length of stay, line type (tunneled), history of PICC placement, multiple lumens, previous infections, chemotherapy, total parenteral nutrition, hematological cancers, delays in catheter care, local signs of infection (e.g., localized rashes), previous BSIs, and diabetes mellitus. Due to high heterogeneity among studies regarding previous BSIs, this factor was excluded from the final predictive model, while all other risk factors were included.

CONCLUSIONS

The present meta-analysis identified risk factors for PICC-RBSIs and developed a predictive model based on these findings, incorporating 10 risk factors that integrate both patient-specific and procedural factors.

LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION

Integrating the risk prediction model for PICC-RBSI into clinical guidelines and training is essential. Healthcare providers should be trained to use this model to identify high-risk patients and implement preventive measures proactively. This integration could enhance personalized care, reduce infection incidence, and improve patient outcomes. Future research should update the model with new risk factors and validate its effectiveness in diverse clinical settings.

Effectiveness of nanoparticle-based antimicrobial agents in the prevention and treatment of Central Venous Catheter-Associated Bloodstream Infections

BACKGROUND

In healthcare settings, Central Venous Catheter-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CVC-BSIs) present a serious problem since they raise morbidity, mortality, and medical expense rates. The management of these illnesses is made more challenging by the development of antimicrobiotic resistance. Nanotechnology has attracted interest recently as a viable method for creating new antimicrobial agents. By putting antibacterial nanomaterials onto the catheter's appear, that may reduce the likelihood of getting sick by stopping germs from adhering and growing. Antimicrobial additives can be released gradually finishes, protecting over time through bioengineering sectors. To prevent and treat CVC-BSIs, this study will assess the efficacy of antimicrobial medicines based on nanoparticles.

METHODS

In the network Meta-Analyses (MA) and Systematic Review (SR), we looked for studies published from January 2010 to September 2021 using the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), EMBASE, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Web of Science databases. Ten papers in all were included in the review following the screening of the publications using inclusion and exclusion criteria.

RESULTS

In contrast to conventional catheters, the implementation of Antimicrobial Catheters (AC) and the use of chlorhexidine (CHG) or Silver Sulfadiazine (SS) demonstrated notably reduced occurrences of Central Venous Catheter-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CVC-BSIs) per 1000 Catheter Days (CD) (with Odds Ratios (ORs) and 95% Credibility Intervals (CrIs) of 0.66 and 0.54, respectively) by bioengineering sectors. Moreover, these interventions were linked to the lowest rate of Catheter Colonization (CC), with ORs as well as 95% CrIs of 0.45 and 0.31, respectively, underscoring their potential as effective strategies for minimizing the risk of infections associated with catheter use as well as bioengineering sectors innovations.

CONCLUSIONS

As a result, CVC-BSI has shown significant promise for prevention and treatment with nanoparticle-based antimicrobial medicines. Due to their special characteristics and modes of action, they are strong candidates for improving the security and effectiveness of central venous catheter use in clinical settings. Due to ongoing research and development in this area, nanoparticle-based coatings and therapies may be used to lessen the impact of CVC-BSIs and enhance patient outcomes.

Peripherally inserted central catheter design and material for reducing catheter failure and complications

BACKGROUND

Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) facilitate diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in health care. PICCs can fail due to infective and non-infective complications, which PICC materials and design may contribute to, leading to negative sequelae for patients and healthcare systems.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effectiveness of PICC material and design in reducing catheter failure and complications.

SEARCH METHODS

The University of Queensland and Cochrane Vascular Information Specialist searched the Cochrane Vascular Specialised Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL databases and the WHO ICTRP and ClinicalTrials.gov trials registers to 16 May 2023. We aimed to identify other potentially eligible trials or ancillary publications by searching the reference lists of retrieved included trials, as well as relevant systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and health technology assessment reports. We contacted experts in the field to ascertain additional relevant information.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating PICC design and materials.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We used standard Cochrane methods. Our primary outcomes were venous thromboembolism (VTE), PICC-associated bloodstream infection (BSI), occlusion, and all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes were catheter failure, PICC-related BSI, catheter breakage, PICC dwell time, and safety endpoints. We assessed the certainty of evidence using GRADE.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 12 RCTs involving approximately 2913 participants (one multi-arm study). All studies except one had a high risk of bias in one or more risk of bias domain. Integrated valve technology compared to no valve technology for peripherally inserted central catheter design Integrated valve technology may make little or no difference to VTE risk when compared with PICCs with no valve (risk ratio (RR) 0.71, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.19 to 2.63; I² = 0%; 3 studies; 437 participants; low certainty evidence). We are uncertain whether integrated valve technology reduces PICC-associated BSI risk, as the certainty of the evidence is very low (RR 0.20, 95% CI 0.01 to 4.00; I² = not applicable; 2 studies (no events in 1 study); 257 participants). Integrated valve technology may make little or no difference to occlusion risk when compared with PICCs with no valve (RR 0.86, 95% CI 0.53 to 1.38; I² = 0%; 5 studies; 900 participants; low certainty evidence). We are uncertain whether use of integrated valve technology reduces all-cause mortality risk, as the certainty of evidence is very low (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.44 to 1.64; I² = 0%; 2 studies; 473 participants). Integrated valve technology may make little or no difference to catheter failure risk when compared with PICCs with no valve (RR 0.80, 95% CI 0.62 to 1.03; I² = 0%; 4 studies; 720 participants; low certainty evidence). We are uncertain whether integrated-valve technology reduces PICC-related BSI risk (RR 0.51, 95% CI 0.19 to 1.32; I² = not applicable; 2 studies (no events in 1 study); 542 participants) or catheter breakage, as the certainty of evidence is very low (RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.22 to 5.06; I² = 20%; 4 studies; 799 participants). Anti-thrombogenic surface modification compared to no anti-thrombogenic surface modification for peripherally inserted central catheter design We are uncertain whether use of anti-thrombogenic surface modified catheters reduces risk of VTE (RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.13 to 3.54; I² = 15%; 2 studies; 257 participants) or PICC-associated BSI, as the certainty of evidence is very low (RR 0.20, 95% CI 0.01 to 4.00; I² = not applicable; 2 studies (no events in 1 study); 257 participants). We are uncertain whether use of anti-thrombogenic surface modified catheters reduces occlusion (RR 0.69, 95% CI 0.04 to 11.22; I² = 70%; 2 studies; 257 participants) or all-cause mortality risk, as the certainty of evidence is very low (RR 0.49, 95% CI 0.05 to 5.26; I² = not applicable; 1 study; 111 participants). Use of anti-thrombogenic surface modified catheters may make little or no difference to risk of catheter failure (RR 0.76, 95% CI 0.37 to 1.54; I² = 46%; 2 studies; 257 participants; low certainty evidence). No PICC-related BSIs were reported in one study (111 participants). As such, we are uncertain whether use of anti-thrombogenic surface modified catheters reduces PICC-related BSI risk (RR not estimable; I² = not applicable; very low certainty evidence). We are uncertain whether use of anti-thrombogenic surface modified catheters reduces the risk of catheter breakage, as the certainty of evidence is very low (RR 0.15, 95% CI 0.01 to 2.79; I² = not applicable; 2 studies (no events in 1 study); 257 participants). Antimicrobial impregnation compared to non-antimicrobial impregnation for peripherally inserted central catheter design We are uncertain whether use of antimicrobial-impregnated catheters reduces VTE risk (RR 0.54, 95% CI 0.05 to 5.88; I² = not applicable; 1 study; 167 participants) or PICC-associated BSI risk, as the certainty of evidence is very low (RR 2.17, 95% CI 0.20 to 23.53; I² = not applicable; 1 study; 167 participants). Antimicrobial-impregnated catheters probably make little or no difference to occlusion risk (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.57 to 1.74; I² = 0%; 2 studies; 1025 participants; moderate certainty evidence) or all-cause mortality (RR 1.12, 95% CI 0.71 to 1.75; I² = 0%; 2 studies; 1082 participants; moderate certainty evidence). Antimicrobial-impregnated catheters may make little or no difference to risk of catheter failure (RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.82 to 1.30; I² = not applicable; 1 study; 221 participants; low certainty evidence). Antimicrobial-impregnated catheters probably make little or no difference to PICC-related BSI risk (RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.71 to 1.55; I² = not applicable; 2 studies (no events in 1 study); 1082 participants; moderate certainty evidence). Antimicrobial-impregnated catheters may make little or no difference to risk of catheter breakage (RR 0.86, 95% CI 0.19 to 3.83; I² = not applicable; 1 study; 804 participants; low certainty evidence).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is limited high-quality RCT evidence available to inform clinician decision-making for PICC materials and design. Limitations of the current evidence include small sample sizes, infrequent events, and risk of bias. There may be little to no difference in the risk of VTE, PICC-associated BSI, occlusion, or mortality across PICC materials and designs. Further rigorous RCTs are needed to reduce uncertainty.

The role of shear rates on amyloid formation from biofilm peptide phenol-soluble modulins

Biofilms, microbial communities enclosed in the self-produced extracellular matrix, have a significant impact on human health, environment, and industry. The pathogen Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is recognized as one of the most frequent causes of biofilm-related infections. Phenol-soluble modulins (PSMs) serve as a crucial component, fortifying S. aureus biofilm matrix through self-assembly into amyloid fibrils, which enhances S. aureus colonization and resistance to antibiotics. However, the role of shear rate, one of the critical physiological factors within blood vessels, on the formation of PSM amyloids remains poorly understood. In this work, using a combination of thioflavin T fluorescence kinetic studies, circular dichroism spectrometry, and electron microscopy, we demonstrated that shear rates ranging from 150 to 300 s-1 accelerate fibrillation of PSMα1, α3, and α4 into amyloids, resulting in elongated amyloid structures. Furthermore, PSMα1, α3, and α4 predominantly self-assembled into amyloid fibers with a cross-α structure under shear conditions, deviating from the typical β-sheet configuration of PSM amyloids. These findings imply the role of shear rates within the bloodstream on enhancing PSM self-assembly that is associated with S. aureus biofilm formation.

Central venous access device terminologies, complications, and reason for removal in oncology: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Lack of agreed terminology and definitions in healthcare compromises communication, patient safety, optimal management of adverse events, and research progress. The purpose of this scoping review was to understand the terminologies used to describe central venous access devices (CVADs), associated complications and reasons for premature removal in people undergoing cancer treatment. It also sought to identify the definitional sources for complications and premature removal reasons. The objective was to map language and descriptions used and to explore opportunities for standardisation.

METHODS

A systematic search of MedLine, PubMed, Cochrane, CINAHL Complete and Embase databases was performed. Eligibility criteria included, but were not limited to, adult patients with cancer, and studies published between 2017 and 2022. Articles were screened and data extracted in Covidence. Data charting included study characteristics and detailed information on CVADs including terminologies and definitional sources for complications and premature removal reasons. Descriptive statistics, tables and bar graphs were used to summarise charted data.

RESULTS

From a total of 2363 potentially eligible studies, 292 were included in the review. Most were observational studies (n = 174/60%). A total of 213 unique descriptors were used to refer to CVADs, with all reasons for premature CVAD removal defined in 84 (44%) of the 193 studies only, and complications defined in 56 (57%) of the 292 studies. Where available, definitions were author-derived and/or from national resources and/or other published studies.

CONCLUSION

Substantial variation in CVAD terminology and a lack of standard definitions for associated complications and premature removal reasons was identified. This scoping review demonstrates the need to standardise CVAD nomenclature to enhance communication between healthcare professionals as patients undergoing cancer treatment transition between acute and long-term care, to enhance patient safety and rigor of research protocols, and improve the capacity for data sharing.

Peripherally Inserted Central Venous Catheter-Related Complications in Adult Patients with Haematological Malignancy

Background

Peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICC) are widely used in patients with haematological malignancies owing to the requirement for prolonged intravenous therapy. However, the growing use of PICCs has resulted in a multitude of complications such as infections and thrombosis, leading to prolonged hospitalisation periods and increased morbidity. This study aimed to determine the incidence of and factors associated with PICC-related complications in patients with haematological malignancies.

Methods

This prospective cohort study was conducted at a single academic institution. The inclusion criteria involved all adult patients with haematological malignancies who had newly inserted PICCs. The patients were observed for a minimum duration of 60 days to evaluate the incidence of PICC-related infections and thrombosis, as well as mechanical complications.

Results

A total of 119 PICCs were implanted in 85 patients. Among them, more than half of the patients were diagnosed with lymphoma (55.0%). The median dwell time was 61 days (interquartile range: 98 days). The incidence of PICC-related complications was 58.0% (6.9 per 1,000 catheter-days). Specifically, 43 PICCs (36.1%, 4.3 per 1,000 catheter-days) experienced infective complications, 25 (21.1%, 2.5 per 1,000 catheter-days) encountered mechanical complications and 1 (0.8%, 0.1 per 1,000 catheter-days) exhibited thrombotic complications. Furthermore, an underlying diagnosis of acute leukaemia was significantly associated with a higher incidence of PICC-related infections.

Conclusion

Our study revealed higher incidence rates of PICC-related complications in adult patients with haematological malignancies compared to the finding of other studies. Notably, patients with underlying acute leukaemia displayed a higher incidence of PICC-related infections. These findings underscore the importance of implementing appropriate interventions and conducting thorough root cause analyses to effectively mitigate this complication and improve patient outcomes.

Efficacy of antimicrobial peripherally inserted central catheters in line-associated bloodstream infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Several studies have investigated the safety and efficacy of antimicrobial peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs), and the results are conflicting. Therefore, in this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to summarize and identify the effect of antimicrobial PICCs on central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) risk.

METHODS

A systematic search of PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, and Web of Science was performed to identify relevant studies up to December 2022.

RESULTS

A total of 9 studies were included for analysis. There were 7 retrospective/prospective cohort studies and 2 randomized controlled trials. The 9 studies involved 51,373 patients with PICCs. Among these patients, 6,563 (12.8%) antimicrobial-coated/impregnated PICCs and 44,810 (87.2%) nonantimicrobial-impregnated PICCs were inserted. The meta-analysis showed that antimicrobial PICCs had a nonsignificant association with lower CLABSI risk compared with noncoated PICCs (relative risk [RR] = 0.67; 95% CI, 0.43-1.05). In the subgroup analysis, minocycline-rifampin-(RR = 0.30; 95% CI, 0.19-0.49) or chlorhexidine-coated (RR = 0.61; 95% CI, 0.04-8.55) PICCs showed an association with reduced risk of CLABSI. In the adult population, antimicrobial PICCs had a nonsignificant association with lower CLABSI risk (RR = 0.50; 95% CI, 0.20-1.22).

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review and meta-analysis suggested that antimicrobial PICCs had a nonsignificant association with lower CLABSI risk compared with noncoated PICCs. Minocycline-rifampin-or chlorhexidine-coated PICCs showed an association with reduced risk of CLABSI.

Clinical factors associated with peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) related bloodstream infections: a single centre retrospective cohort

BACKGROUND

Despite their spread in daily practice, few data is available on clinical factors associated with peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC)-related bloodstream infections (PR-BSI). We aimed to assess the PR-BSI incidence, microbiology, and factors associated with PR-BSI with a focus on clinical symptoms.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study in a French university hospital. We screened all PICC insertions performed from April 1st, 2018, to April 1st, 2019, and included PICC insertions in adult patients. We assessed the PR-BSI incidence, the factors associated with PR-BSI using a Cox model, and negative and positive predictive values (NPVs and PPVs) of each clinical sign for PR-BSI.

RESULTS

Of the 901 PICCs inserted in 783 patients (38,320 catheters days), 214 PICCs (24%) presented with a complication. The most prevalent complication was PR-BSI (1.9 per 1000 catheter days; 8.1% of inserted PICCs ). Enterobacterales (N = 27, 37%) and coagulase negative Staphylococci (N = 24, 33%), were the main microorganisms responsible for PR-BSI. Factors independently associated with occurrence of PR-BSI were fever (hazard ratio 13.21, 95% confidence interval 6.00-29.11, p < 0.001) and chills (HR 3.66, 95%CI 1.92-6.99, p < 0.001). All clinical signs and a duration of PICC maintenance ≥ 28 days, had a low PPVs (≤ 67.1%) but high NPVs (≥ 92.5%) for PR-BSI.

CONCLUSIONS

Monitoring of clinical signs, especially fever and chills, with caution and limitation of device maintenance duration, could improve PICC management.

Reducing catheter related bloodstream infection risk of infant with a prophylactic antibiotic therapy before removing peripherally inserted central catheter: A retrospective study

PURPOSE

This study examined the efficacy of prescribing antibiotics, specifically a single dose of vancomycin, in reducing the incidence of culture-positive and culture-negative sepsis prior to the removal of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed charts of infants who had PICCs in a tertiary level hospital during the period from 2010 to 2019. The incidence of post-catheter removal clinical sepsis between the groups with or without antibiotics was compared. The antibiotic group was defined by receiving a single dose of vancomycin or any other antibiotic prior to line removal.

RESULTS

We enrolled 585 PICC removal episodes in 546 infants for analysis. Antibiotics were given prior to removal in 257 cases (43.9%) and not given prior to removal in 328 cases (56.1%). There were 13 episodes of post-catheter removal clinical sepsis detected within 72 h (2.2%), 2 of which were culture-positive (0.3%). A 9.3-fold decrease in the odds for clinical sepsis was observed in the antibiotic group (p = 0.01). The incidence of post-catheter removal sepsis was decreased by a single prophylactic dose of vancomycin (p = 0.02), whereas the use of other antibiotics showed no effect (p = 0.35). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that comorbidities with gastrointestinal diseases (p = 0.01), PICC insertion sites in the scalp and neck (p = 0.04), and no vancomycin administration prior to line removal (p = 0.02) were independent risk factors for subsequent clinical sepsis.

CONCLUSION

A single prophylactic dose of vancomycin prior to PICC line removal might reduce clinical sepsis events in infants.

Cost-effectiveness Analysis of Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters Versus Central Venous Catheters for in-Hospital Parenteral Nutrition

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the use of peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICCs) by a vascular access team (VAT) versus central venous catheters (CVCs) for in-hospital total parenteral nutrition (TPN).

METHODS

The study used a cost-effectiveness analysis based on observational data retrospectively obtained from electronic medical records from 2018 to 2019 in a teaching hospital. We included all interventional procedures requiring PICCs or CVCs with the indication of TPN. We recorded the costs of insertion, maintenance, removal, and complications. The main outcome measure was the incidence rate of catheter-associated bacteremia per 1000 catheter days. Cost-effectiveness analysis was performed from the hospital perspective within the context of the publicly funded Spanish health system. Confidence intervals for costs and effectiveness differences were calculated using bootstrap methods.

RESULTS

We analyzed 233 CVCs and 292 PICCs from patients receiving TPN. Average duration was longer for PICC (13 versus 9.4 days, P < 0.001). The main reason for complications in both groups was suspected infection (9.77% CVC versus 5.18% PICC). Complication rates due to bacteremia were 2.44% for CVC and 1.15% for PICC. The difference in the incidence of bacteremia per 1000 catheter days was 1.29 (95% confidence interval, -0.89 to 3.90). Overall, costs were lower for PICCs than for CVCs: the difference in mean overall costs was -€559.9 (95% confidence interval, -€919.9 to -€225.4). Uncertainty analysis showed 86.37% of results with lower costs and higher effectiveness for PICC versus CVC.

CONCLUSIONS

Placement of PICC by VAT compared with CVC for TPN reduces costs and may decrease the rate of bacteremia.

Peripherally inserted central catheter-related bloodstream infections in patients with hematological malignancies: A retrospective 7-years single-center study

OBJECTIVES

We sought to investigate the nature and incidence of bloodstream infection complications and to identify the risk factors of central catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI).

METHODS

During the study period, 291 consecutive patients with hematological malignancies who underwent PICC placement were retrospectively enrolled. We analyzed the covariates that were specified a priori for their association with CRBSI through multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models. The association between each predictor and the related outcome was expressed using hazard ratios (HRs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

Of 391 peripherally inserted central catheter (PICCs) were inserted in 291 patients for a total of 63,714 catheter days during 7 years, with an infection rate of 0.71/1,000 catheter days. Among the patients with hematological malignancies, those with acute leukemia were prone to CRBSI. Having previous bloodstream infection (BSI) (HR 18.139; 95% CI, 8.19-40.174; P < .0001), the number of PICCs insertions (HR 4.695; 95% CI, 1.842-11.967; P = .001) (twice), (HR 6.794; 95% CI, 1.909-24.181; P = .003) (≥3 times) were significantly associated with CRBSI. Not accompanied by chronic comorbidities (HR 0.34; 95% CI, 0.131-0.887; P = .028) and longer duration of PICC use (days) (HR 0.997; 95% CI, 0.994-0.999; P = .008) might be protective factors preventing CRBSI.

CONCLUSIONS

Our finding suggests that previous BSI and a higher number of PICC insertions are associated with an increased risk of CRBSI. A lack of chronic comorbidities may help prevent CRBSI.

A Meta-Analysis of Incidence of Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infection with Midline Catheters and Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters

In order to provide reference for the prevention and treatment of CRBSI during clinical intravenous infusion therapy, this paper investigates the incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) in the treatment of midline catheters (MCs) and peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) by intravenous infusion. Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane Library, and ProQuest are searched to collect CRBSI-related studies on MC and PICC. The retrieval time is from the database construction to August 2020. Two researchers independently searched and screened literature quality evaluation and extracted data according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, and RevMan 5.3 software was used for analysis. Eleven studies are included, with a total of 33809 patients. The incidence of CRBSI in the MC group is 0.599% (43/7079), and that in the PICC group is 0.4993% (133/26630). Meta-analysis showed that the incidence of CRBSI in the MC group is higher than that in the PICC group (OR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.43–1.08, P=0.11), and the difference is statistically significant when low-quality studies are excluded (OR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.39–0.93, P=0.02). There is no significant difference in the incidence of CRBSI between MC group and PICC group (P > 0.05), American subgroup (OR = 0.52), and British subgroup (OR = 4.86), the results of the two groups are opposite, and the incidence of CRBSI between the MC group and PICC group is statistically significant. There is no significant difference in the incidence of CRBSI between the adult and other subgroups (all P > 0.05). There is no significant difference in the incidence of CRBSI between the MC group and the PICC group (P > 0.05). Overall, the inter-study stability is general, the quality is good and the medium is good, and there is no obvious publication bias. The risk of CRBSI in MC and PICC is systematically evaluated and meta-analyzed for the first time. The incidence of CRBSI in MC group is lower than that in PICC group during intravenous infusion therapy. Under the same conditions, MC patients can be given priority for intravenous infusion therapy. More high-quality and child-related studies are needed to further evaluate and explore the risk of CRBSI between MC and PICC.

Adaptación transcultural para Colombia y validez de contenido de la escala RAC de evaluación del riesgo de infección en el adulto hospitalizado

Introducción: Las Infecciones Asociadas a la Atención en Salud (IAAS) son un grave problema de salud pública, que puede ser prevenidas al identificar los factores de riesgo con el uso de escalas. Objetivo: Adaptar transculturalmente y realizar la validación de contenido y de face de la escala Rodríguez-Almeida-Cañon (RAC) de evaluación del riesgo de infección en adultos hospitalizados. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio metodológico de adaptación transcultural. La recolección de datos se realizó de junio a noviembre de 2020. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 11 especialistas. La escala RAC se evaluó en su conjunto, determinando su alcance, los ítems fueron evaluados individualmente, verificando su claridad, relevancia y pertinencia. Para evaluar cada ítem se utilizó una escala tipo Likert de cuatro niveles. La validez de contenido fue evaluada a través del índice de validez de contenido (IVC). Resultados: Por medio de la evaluación del comité de especialistas fue posible determinar que la escala RAC es apta para uso en el contexto cultural colombiano. Se realizaron ajustes para mejorar la interpretación de algunos ítems. El IVC de los ítems estuvo entre 0.90 a 1.0 y el IVC promedio de la escala fue de 0.98. Discusión: Esta escala permite medir el riesgo de IAAS a un bajo costo, con el fin de poder planear y ejecutar intervenciones por parte del equipo multidisciplinario que tiene a cargo la salud y el cuidado del paciente. Conclusiones: La escala RAC en su versión en español es un instrumento apropiado para la evaluación del riesgo de IAAS en el adulto hospitalizado en Colombia.

Comparison of peripherally inserted central catheters and totally implanted venous access devices as chemotherapy delivery routes in oncology patients: A retrospective cohort study

This study aimed to evaluate peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) and totally implanted venous access devices (TIVADs) as chemotherapy delivery routes. From May 2016 to April 2019, patients with malignancies who had PICCs or TIVADs inserted for chemotherapy were enrolled. We reviewed the patients' medical records for information concerning demographics, comorbidities, catheter-related complications, and catheter -service days. All patients included in both groups were also assessed for complication-free catheter survival and completion rates of chemotherapy. A total of 467 catheter insertions (185 PICCs and 282 TIVADs) were included in this study. The PICCs were associated with a higher rate of complication-related catheter removal than TIVADs (hazard ratio, 6.5954; 95% confidence interval, 2.394-18.168; p<0.001). The completion of chemotherapy was observed in 77 (41.6%) patients with PICCs and 128 (45.4%) with TIVADs (p = 0.442). The mean duration of catheter service-days was shorter for the patients in the PICC group who completed chemotherapy than those in the TIVAD group (101.3 ± 93.2 vs 245.3 ± 115.9, respectively, p < 0.001). Although PICC was an independent risk factor for complication-related catheter removal, there was no difference in the chemotherapy completion rate between the groups. Therefore, PICCs need to be considered preferentially in patients who require a chemotherapy delivery route for short-term chemotherapy.

Correlation of Positive Blood Cultures with Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Line Infection in Oncology Patients

Introduction: The use of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) lines offers several advantages compared to traditional central venous catheters (CVCs) as the insertion procedure is minimally invasive, they may be retained safely for longer periods of time, and their use is associated with fewer catheter-related infections. Their use in patients suffering from a malignant disease is common but may pose a greater risk of complications due to the severe immunosuppression associated with treatment. This study was conducted to evaluate the safety of PICC lines in this group.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of oncology patients being treated in a Mediterranean tertiary center. Patients with PICC lines were enrolled in the study if a positive blood culture necessitated the removal of the PICC and subsequent culture of the PICC tip. A comparison was conducted between patients with positive and negative PICC cultures.

Results: Thirty patients were included, four of whom had a positive PICC culture. The most commonly isolated pathogens were coagulase-negative Staphylococci and Corynebacteria. No statistically significant difference was noted in white blood cell (WBC) counts, C-reactive protein (CRP), and Michigan PICC central line associated bloodstream infection (MPC) score between the two groups. Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most commonly isolated pathogen.

Discussion: Though limited by a small sample size and the retrospective design, the findings of this study seem to corroborate existing literature on the subject which suggests that the use of PICC lines in oncology patients is feasible and does not pose unacceptable risk. Further research is indicated to determine subgroups which may be at greater risk of PICC related infections.

Analysis of Risk Factors and Clinical Indicators in Bloodstream Infections Among Patients with Hematological Malignancy

Purpose

The incidence of bloodstream infection (BSI) is more common in patients with hematological malignancy. It is important to distinguish infectious episodes from noninfectious episodes. The present study was aimed to describe the epidemiology, clinical indexes, and antibiotic use for in-hospital bloodstream infections of hematological malignancy patients.

Patients and Methods

Single-center retrospective research was performed on hematological malignancy patients admitted to our hospital from July 2015 to March 2018. Laboratory and clinical information from 322 febrile patients were acquired. These episodes were divided by blood culture results into two groups: 1) blood culture positive-group, 2) blood culture negative-group.

Results

In the 322 febrile cases, 81 (25.2%) patients were blood culture positive, and among them, Gram-negative (G-) bacteria (51.9%) were more isolated than Gram-positive (G+) bacteria (32.1%) and fungi (7.4%). Gram-negative bacteria were more likely to have drug resistance than G+ bacteria. Independent risk factors revealed that patients with complications, high levels of procalcitonin (PCT), glucose, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and d-dimer (D-D), and low concentration of albumin were correlated with the occurrence of BSI. PCT, IL-6 and D-D performed well in differentiating the positive group from the negative group. Moreover, IL-6 and D-D showed excellent performance in differentiating G- and G+ groups, with the areas under the curve all above 0.8.

Conclusion

We analyzed the risk factors for BSI in patients with hematological malignancy, the distribution of bacteria, antibiotic resistance, and the changes in clinical parameters. This single-center retrospective study may provide clinicians insight into the diagnosis and treatment of BSI.

Risk of catheter-related bloodstream infection associated with midline catheters compared with peripherally inserted central catheters: A meta-analysis

Background

Both midline catheters (MCs) and peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) can cause catheter‐related bloodstream infection (CRBSI), but the prevalence associated with each is not clear.

Objective

To compare the risk of CRBSI between MCs and PICCs with a meta‐analysis.

Methods

The Web of Science Core Collection, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, The Cochrane Library and ProQuest were searched. All studies comparing the risk of CRBSI between MCs and PICCs were included. Selected studies were assessed for methodological quality using the Downs and Black checklist. Two authors independently assessed the literature and extracted the data. A fixed effects model was used to generate estimates of CRBSI risk in patients with MCs versus PICCs. Publication bias was evaluated, and meta‐analyses were conducted with RevMan 5.3.

Results

A total of 167 studies were identified. Ten studies were collected, involving 33,322 patients. The prevalence of CRBSI with MCs and PICCs was 0.58% (40/6,900) and 0.48% (127/26,422), respectively. Meta‐analysis showed that the prevalence of CRBSI was not significantly different between MCs and PICCs (RR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.50–1.17, p = .22). While the result showed that the prevalence of CRBSI with MCs was lower than that with PICCs (RR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.33–0.92, p = .02) after poor‐quality studies were removed. The sensitivity analysis shows that the results from this meta‐analysis are fair in overall studies and non‐poor‐quality studies. All studies have no significant publication bias.

Conclusions

This study provides the first systematic assessment of the risk of CRBSI between MCs and PICCs and provides evidence for the selection of appropriate vascular access devices for intravenous infusion therapy in nursing. The prevalence of CRBSI was not significantly different between them.

ECO-SEOM-SEEO safety recommendations guideline for cancer patients receiving intravenous therapy

Purpose

Cancer patients require implantation of venous access devices to meet their personalized therapeutic needs, which are often complex due to the nature of the medication and the disease status. Therefore, it is essential to have standardized protocols that guarantee the best results in health and patient safety.

Methods

To learn about the availability of protocols and aspects related to safety in clinical practice and to detect possible opportunities for improvement, a survey has been conducted in various Spanish hospitals, in addition to a review of the evidence regarding the various devices available and complications associated with the administration of chemotherapy.

Results

As a result of both analyses, the Foundation for Excellence and Quality in Oncology (ECO), the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM), and the Spanish Society of Oncology Nursing (SEEO) have developed a catheter selection algorithm based on patient characteristics and treatment to facilitate the clinical decision-making process, as well as some recommendations aimed at ensuring patient safety and rational use of available resources.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the venous access catheter selection algorithm and the proposed recommendations aim to respond to the needs revealed in clinical practice and to become an integrable tool in electronic prescription systems to offer homogeneous criteria for action in cancer patients that require venous access, optimizing the use of available health resources with the highest safety and quality of life for the patient.

Multipronged Approach to Combat Catheter-Associated Infections and Thrombosis by Combining Nitric Oxide and a Polyzwitterion: a 7 Day In Vivo Study in a Rabbit Model

The development of nonfouling and antimicrobial materials has shown great promise for reducing thrombosis and infection associated with medical devices with aims of improving device safety and decreasing the frequency of antibiotic administration. Here, the design of an antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antithrombotic vascular catheter is assessed in vivo over 7 d in a rabbit model. Antimicrobial and antithrombotic activity is achieved through the integration of a nitric oxide donor, while the nonfouling surface is achieved using a covalently bound phosphorylcholine-based polyzwitterionic copolymer topcoat. The effect of sterilization on the nonfouling nature and nitric oxide release is presented. The catheters reduced viability of Staphylococcus aureus in long-term studies (7 d in a CDC bioreactor) and inflammation in the 7 d rabbit model. Overall, this approach provides a robust method for decreasing thrombosis, inflammation, and infections associated with vascular catheters.

Antibiotic resistance of blood cultures in regional and tertiary hospital settings of Tyrol, Austria (2006-2015): Impacts & trends

Blood stream infections rank among the top seven causes of death of the general population. The aim of our study was to better understand the epidemiology of BSI in order to improve diagnostics and patient outcome. We used retrospective aggregated laboratory data of blood samples received from all public hospitals in Tyrol, Austria between 2006 and 2015. Microorganisms were categorized into obligatory, facultative, unusual pathogens and contaminants. The distribution, the cumulative incidence and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns were compared between the tertiary (TH) and regional peripheral hospitals (PH). Among 256,364 blood samples, 76.1% were from the TH The incidence of obligatory pathogens was 1.7 fold, and up to 3 times higher for facultative, unusual pathogens and contaminants in the TH and increased mainly due to an increase of E.coli, which was the most common isolated pathogen (n = 2,869), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (n = 1,439), Enterococcus sp. (n = 953) and Klebsiella sp. (n = 816). The distribution of obligatory pathogens differed between the hospital settings: In the TH Enterococcus sp. accounted for 40.8% and E.coli for 70.4%, respectively, whereas in the PH for 25.4% (p<0.0001) and 57.8%, respectively (p<0.0001) Antibiotic resistance of Gram negative bacteria and Staphylococcus aureus did not change during the observation period. Carbapenem resistance of Klebsiella sp. and vancomycin and linezolid resistance of Enterococcus faecium showed a non-significant increase since 2010 in the TH setting. We concluded that the incidence of BSI in TH was higher compared to PH. We observed higher contamination rates in the TH. We could not interpret the data of coagulase negative staphylococci due to lack of clinical data. We strongly recommend enhancement of training on blood culture sampling to decrease the rate of contamination. Due to differences in pathogen distribution and antimicrobial resistance between different hospital settings we recommend separate treatment guidelines for BSI by hospital setting.

Peripheral Inserted Central Catheter Use and Related Infections in Clinical Practice: A Literature Update

Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) lines are commonly used by clinicians in daily practice. This strategy has been established the latest years as a common approach in many clinical conditions. Apart from their usefulness, PICC use is related to some complications. Aim of this review is to summarize all relevant publications regarding the PICC-related infection, as sepsis remains a high mortality syndrome. We conducted a PubMed search to identify all relevant publications referring to infective complications after insertion and use of PICC lines in hospitalized adult patients. A great number of publications suggest that PICC lines are widely used in the management of patients. The use of peripheral inserted central lines is related with a few complications, including bloodstream infections. Existing data mainly support their use in specific clinical conditions because of the low infectious rates. Some conflicting data also exist regarding PICC use, due to an unclear benefit from their use compared to other commonly used strategies. Although a number of complications, including bloodstream infections are related with insertion of PICC lines, their use has a promising role and can be used when indicated in a wide variety of clinical conditions, especially in specific categories of patients and prolonged periods.