CENTRAL VENOUS CATHETER-RELATED BLOOD-STR EAM INFECTION IN A PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL - A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY

Central venous catheter (CVC) are very useful in pediatrics but are a common source of nosocomial bloodstream infection. A prospective and e xhaustive study was undertaken at the children hospital Armand-Trousse au, to determine the incidence of those infections. Between November 1 , 1993 and April 30, 1994, 128 CVC were inserted in 126 patients (55 n eonates, 23 infants and 48 children), from 8 departments. Data about C VC insertion methods and positive blood cultures were collected by que stionnary. Seventeen primary bloodstream infections occured in 15 pati ents, for a total CVC days of 2720. The overall incidence was 6.2/1000 days. The incidence of primary bloodstream infection varied with age from 9.3/1000 days in neonate to 4.3/1000 days in children, but was no t influenced by the type of CVC or method of insertion. Causative orga nisms were most commonly S. epidermidis. Recovery occured in all cases , with CVC removal in only 2 cases. This study was the first step of a multidisciplinary collaboration to evaluate and improve health care p ractices to patients with CVC.