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“Proactive” Management of Percutaneously Inserted Central Catheters Results in Decreased Incidence of Infection in the ELBW Population

Journal of Perinatology volume 22, pages 209–213 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants often acquire catheter-related infections (CRIs) when a percutaneously inserted central catheter (PICC) is used for parenteral nutrition or drug administration. Our objective was to compare the incidence of CRIs after we established a “PICC Maintenance Team” for the proactive management — compared to expectant management — of these lines.

STUDY DESIGN: We did a prospective collection and analysis of catheter-related sepsis data over a 15-month period from February 1, 1998 through May 1, 1999. Eligible patients included all neonates weighing <1000 g at birth.

RESULTS: There was a significantly decreased incidence of CRIs, to a rate of 7.1%, or 5.1/1000 catheter days (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION: “Proactive” management of PICC, significantly reduced the incidence of CRIs. The reduction in infection rate is estimated to save 180 hospitalized patient days/100 very low birth weight neonates, with a concomitant savings in morbidity and medical expense.

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Author notes

  1. Boriana Parvez MD

    Present address: The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, M5G1X8, ON, Canada

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Regional Neonatal Center, New York Medical College, Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY, USA

    Sergio G Golombek MD, FAAP & Edmund F LaGamma MD

  2. Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY, USA

    Annie J Rohan NNP, Boriana Parvez MD & Anne L Salice NNP

Authors
  1. Sergio G Golombek MD, FAAP
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  2. Annie J Rohan NNP
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  3. Boriana Parvez MD
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  4. Anne L Salice NNP
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  5. Edmund F LaGamma MD
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Additional information

Presented, in part, at the Pediatric Academic Societies' Meeting, San Francisco, CA, May 1999.

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Golombek, S., Rohan, A., Parvez, B. et al. “Proactive” Management of Percutaneously Inserted Central Catheters Results in Decreased Incidence of Infection in the ELBW Population. J Perinatol 22, 209–213 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7210660

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