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

Background Antimicrobial-impregnated (AIP) peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) may lower risk of central line–associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) compared with nonantimicrobial-impregnated (NAIP) catheters. We sought to assess risk factors for CLABSI with a focus on the effect of AIP PICCs. Methods CLABSI rate was determined among patients who received PICCs from July 2009 through June 2012 using a retrospective study design. A nested case-control study matched for operators (interventional radiology [IR], infectious diseases [IDs], and the nurse venous access team [VAT]) was conducted to assess risks for PICC CLABSI. Results Eighty-nine PICC CLABSIs (1.66%) occurred among 5,372 PICC placements a mean of 32 days after placement. Higher infection risk (1.75) was observed for IR-placed PICCs compared with ID-placed PICCs ( P  = .02). In addition, higher infection risk (4.22) was observed for IR-placed PICCS compared with VAT-placed PICCs ( P  = .0008). IR-placed NAIP catheters, as indicated by multivariate analysis, revealed a 5.45-fold greater CLABSI risk compared with AIP catheters ( P Conclusions PICC CLABSIs were highest among patients receiving NAIP catheters in this large study. Highest risk occurred with placement of a tunneled catheter, AIDS, leukemia, and if the indication for PICC was chemotherapy. Our study suggests that the AIP PICC should be considered in all patients receiving PICCs.