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Microorganism colonization of peripheral venous catheters in a small animal clinical setting
Erica Matula1, Alicia Mastrocco1, Jennifer Prittie1
1Emergency and Critical Care, The Animal Medical Center, New York, New York, USA.
Objective:
To compare the incidence of microorganism colonization of peripheral venous catheters (PVCs) placed in the Emergency Department (ED) to those placed in a routine preoperative setting. The relationship between catheter tip colonization and patient urgency (as assessed by triage priority) was also evaluated.
Design:
Prospective, observational study from January 2021 to October 2021.
Setting:
Emergency room and clinical areas of a large, urban, tertiary referral center.
Animals:
Three hundred dogs and 94 cats with a PVC in place for a minimum of 24 hours were enrolled in the study.
Interventions:
None.
Measurements And Main Results:
Two hundred and eighty-eight PVCs were placed in the ED and 106 were placed preoperatively. The overall colonization rate was 10.4% (41/394). Sixteen bacterial and 1 fungal genera were cultured. Eight of these bacterial genera (25/51 [49%] bacterial isolates) were resistant to at least 1 antimicrobial class. Twenty-nine of 288 (10.1%) catheters positive for colonization were placed in the ED, whereas 12 of 106 (11.3%) were placed preoperatively. There was no association between microorganism growth on catheters and clinical area of catheter placement. There was also no association between ED patient urgency and positive catheter tip culture. No significant risk factors were identified predisposing to colonization of PVCs.
Conclusions:
The overall incidence of microorganism colonization of PVCs in this study population was equivalent to, or lower than, previously reported in veterinary literature. There was no statistical difference between the catheters placed in the ED and those placed for routine surgical procedures. Patient urgency did not affect the incidence of positivity of peripheral catheter tip cultures.
Insights
Microorganism colonization of peripheral venous catheters (PVCs) in dogs and cats was similar whether placed in the Emergency Department (ED) or preoperatively. Patient urgency did not influence catheter tip colonization rates.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Critical Care
Background:
- Peripheral venous catheters (PVCs) are crucial for fluid and medication delivery in veterinary patients.
- Catheter-associated infections are a concern, potentially leading to increased morbidity and mortality.
- Understanding colonization rates in different clinical settings is vital for infection control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare microorganism colonization rates of PVCs placed in the Emergency Department (ED) versus routine preoperative settings.
- To investigate the relationship between catheter tip colonization and patient urgency (triage priority).
Main Methods:
- A prospective, observational study conducted over 10 months in an urban, tertiary referral center.
- Enrolled 394 dogs and cats with PVCs in place for at least 24 hours.
- Cultured catheter tips to identify microorganisms and assessed antimicrobial resistance patterns.
Main Results:
- Overall colonization rate was 10.4% (41/394).
- No significant difference in colonization rates between ED (10.1%) and preoperative (11.3%) placements.
- No association found between patient urgency and positive catheter tip cultures; no significant risk factors for colonization were identified.
Conclusions:
- The incidence of PVC colonization in this veterinary population is comparable to or lower than reported in previous literature.
- Catheter placement in the ED does not increase the risk of colonization compared to routine preoperative placement.
- Patient urgency is not a risk factor for peripheral catheter tip colonization.
