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Surveillance of catheter-related bacteremia in VINCat program
Oriol Gasch1, Alexander Almendral2, Marta Andrés3
1Department of Infectious diseases, Hospital Universitari Parc Taulí, Institut d'Investigació i Innovació Parc Taulí (I3PT-CERCA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Sabadell, Barcelona, Spain.
Insights
Catheter-related bacteremia (CRB) surveillance over 15 years shows decreasing ICU rates but increasing peripheral catheter infections. Interventions targeting peripheral venous catheters are crucial, especially in non-ICU settings.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
- Healthcare-Associated Infections
Background:
- Catheter-related bacteremia (CRB) is a significant nosocomial infection.
- Surveillance data from the Catalan Program of Surveillance of Nosocomial Infections (VINCat) over 15 years is analyzed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze trends in CRB incidence over a 15-year period.
- To identify shifts in CRB epidemiology and catheter types associated with infection.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 10,212 CRB episodes across 55 Catalan hospitals (2008-2023).
- Calculation of annual incidence rates per 1000 patient-days, stratified by ward type (ICU, medical, surgical).
- Comparison of infection rates across three five-year periods using incidence rate ratios (IRRs).
Main Results:
- Overall CRB incidence was 0.21 episodes/1000 patient-days, with higher rates in ICUs (1.13).
- Gram-positive bacteria accounted for 68.3% of CRB cases.
- CRB rates decreased in ICUs and with central venous catheters but significantly increased for peripheral venous catheters (PVCs) and peripherally-inserted central venous catheters (PICVCs).
Conclusions:
- CRB associated with peripheral catheters, particularly in non-ICU wards, is a growing concern.
- Targeted intervention programs focusing on PVCs are necessary to reduce CRB incidence.
Background:
Catheter-related bacteremia (CRB) is one of the most frequent infections acquired during hospitalization. We summarize the results of CRB surveillance conducted by the Catalan Program of Surveillance of Nosocomial Infections (VINCat) over the past fifteen years.
Methods:
All episodes of hospital-acquired CRB diagnosed in the 55 Catalan hospitals participating in the VINCat program (2008-2023) were recorded. Annual incidence rates per 1000 patient-days were calculated. Analyses were stratified into three relevant five-year periods: 2008-2012, 2013-2017, and 2018-2022. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were used to compare infection rates.
Results:
During the study period, 10,212 episodes of nosocomial CRB were diagnosed. The global incidence rate was 0.21 episodes per 1000 patient-days (intensive care units (ICUs): 1.13; medical wards: 0.16; surgical wards: 0.15). Gram-positive bacteria caused 68.3% of the episodes. The incidence rate of CRB acquired in ICUs and that of CRB associated with central venous catheters decreased during the study period, while episodes associated with peripheral venous catheters (PVCs) and peripherally-inserted central venous catheters (PICVCs) significantly increased (p<0.001).
Conclusions:
The current study underscores the necessity for interventional programs targeting PVCs, particularly in non-ICU wards.
