PICC Infection Risk Factors?

The use of peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICCs) has become ubiquitous in modern healthcare. Although initial research conducted among outpatients suggested a low bloodstream infection (BSI) rate, more-recent inpatient studies have shown rates comparable to those of other central venous catheters. To better understand risk factors for PICC BSIs, investigators performed a nested case-control study involving adults with PICCs inserted at a teaching hospital in St. Louis between January 2006 and July 2008.

Using CDC National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) case definitions, the investigators identified 163 PICC BSIs in 162 patients, with an overall PICC BSI rate of 3.13 per 1000 catheter-days. Compared with matched, uninfected…