Web site designed and maintained by Chris Cairns  © SICS EBM Group 2004                                  

Risk factors for CVCr Infections

Citation/s:
Moro ML, et al. Risk factors for central venous catheter-related infections in surgical and intensive care units. Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol 1994;15:253-264
Lead author's name and fax: Maria L Moro. Istituto Superiore di Sanita, Rome, Italy.

Three-part Clinical Question: What are the risk factors for CVCrBSI in surgical and intensive care patients,. For the purposes of this study we shall only consider the effect of site of insertion.
Search Terms: see summary

The Study: Cohort Study.

The Study Patients: Multi-centre. Prospective study of patients in ICU (medical/surgical), CCU, Cardiac ICU or surgical unit (53% of patients). Short term CVCs.
 

Exposure of Interest: Int. Jugular, subclavian or femoral placement.
 

The Outcome: Infection
Can't tell if the subjects were defined and similar in other important ways. The exposures and outcomes were either objective or measured blind. Follow-up was long enough; follow-up was not complete enough (only data on 463 of 623 CVCs).

The Evidence:

Comments:
Over 45% of CVCs used for TPN. 53% surgical unit patients.

Unusual definitions: Catheter related infections were classified as local infection of the catheter site, catheter related septicaemia or catheter-related bacteraemia. There were only 11 septicaemias and no bacteraemias. The use of insertion site infection as a mark of CVCrI is unusual. It would have been more appropriate to measure the rates of colonization of catheter tips. There is no information on the rate of catheter colonization.

For these reasons I believe this study is not of  adequate quality to include in further analysis.

Appraised by: Dr Chris Cairns, Consultant, ICU, Stirling Royal Infirmary, UK; 01 June 2005
Email: Chris.Cairns@fvah.scot.nhs.uk
 

Kill or update By: June 2005

Printer friendly version

©SICS EBMG 2005