Study on risk factors for PICC catheter-related infections in cancer patients

OBJECTIVE To explore the risk factors for PICC catheter-related infections in cancer patients and analyze the species of pathogenic bacteria so as to provide bases for the prevention of infections and the reasonable use of antibiotics.METHODS Prospective following-up of 373 cases of cancer patients with PICC was performed,the related factors for the infections were analyzed and the bacteriologic culture was performed.RESULTS The total indwelling time of 373 cancer patients with PICC was 40,547/days and the PICC catheter-related infections occurred in 46 cases with the infection rate of 1.13 per 1000 catheter-days;season,catheter maintenance period,local dressing condition and patient's immunity were the risk factors for PICC catheter-related infections,and the catheter insertion technique was the protective factor;the pathogenic bacteria causing infections included coagulase-negative Staphylococci,S.epidermidis,Candida sake and S.warneri.CONCLUSION To use seldinger puncture technique,increase the frequency of the catheter maintenance in summer,make catheter maintenance standardized and the improve the patient's immunity can decrease the incidence of PICC catheter-related infections in cancer patients.