INFECTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH 913 CENTRAL CATHETERS IN CANCER-PATIENTS

Infections associated with central catheters are a significant source of morbidity in cancer patients. The first evaluation done as part of a continuous catheter surveillance program included the 913 central ca theters inserted in 1995, Three of these catheters are still in place. All were tunneled subcutaneously, and most were inserted via the subc lavian route. There were 839 simple silicone catheters and 74 catheter s with a cuff. Two groups were defined based on whether the central ca theter was inserted for administering inpatient or outpatient chemothe rapy (n = 704) or for another reason (perioperative care, symptomatic or palliative therapy; n = 209). Catheter-related infection was define d as an infection at the catheter site or as septicemia retrospectivel y shown to be related to the catheter. The risk of catheter-related in fection was expressed as the number of cases per 1000 days of catheter ization. Reasons for catheter removal were distributed in table I.