Influence of management variables of tunneled venous catheters in hemodialysis on the bacteremia rate: Observational analytical study

Abstract

Introduction: Central venous catheter (CVC)-related infection is the most frequent and serious complication in hemodialysis patients, associated with high mortality and morbidity. In Spain, an incidence of bacteremia of 0.9 to 2 episodes per catheter and year has been published. Variables have been related to the rate of bacteremia associated with CVC, such as catheter malfunctions, the training and experience of the nursing, the number of hemodialysis sessions and their duration. The objective of the present study is to analyze the influence of the aforementioned variables on the appearance of bacteremia in patients with catheters in a hemodialysis unit of a tertiary care hospital in Spain. Methods: Analytical, observational, and retrospective study in which data on the training received and experience of the nursing staff, the number and duration of hemodialysis sessions per patient and CVC dysfunctions were obtained. The bacteremia’s that occurred in a year were counted, through the unit’s database, and the possible relationship of such variables in the rate of bacteremia was analyzed. Results: On a total of 41 tunneled catheters in 35 patients, observed for 365 days, an incidence rate of 1.45/1000 catheter days was obtained, not having found a statistically significant relationship with the training of nursing staff (p = 0.330), experience (p=0.668), number of dysfunctions and manipulations of catheter (p=0.718; p=0.118). An inverse relationship was observed with the number and duration of sessions (p=0.02). Conclusions: It is necessary to continue analyzing the relationship between the mentioned variables and the rate of bacteremia. Approaching it from a multicenter point of view or increasing the observation time prospectively may be aspects to consider to determine the variables that seem to have a direct relationship with CVC infection, which has been shown in other contexts.