Five-Year Surveillance of Central Line Associated Bloodstream Infection in an Intensive Care Unit Population—A Retrospective Analysis

Background: Central venous catheters (CVCs) are essential to current intensive care unit (ICU) practices as a tool for treating critically ill patients. However, the use of CVCs is associated with substantial risk of infection. Central line associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) is increasing in prevalence each year and is among the major causes of bloodstream infection in ICU patients. Therefore, investigating the epidemiology and risk factors of CLABSI in ICU patients is important. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the incidence rates, causative pathogens and risk factors of CLABSI in an ICU population. Methods: A retrospective observational study was performed in an ICU at Qilu Hospital of Shandong University in China from January 2016 to December 2020. Patients with at least one CVC were enrolled, and information relevant to CVC use was recorded. The prevalence was calculated, and related risk factors were analyzed. Results: A total of 1920 catheters were identified, 507 of which were eligible for analysis. For each of the years 2016-2020, the incidence rates of CLABSI were 1.91, 3.18, 1.69, 2.97 and 1.27 per 1000 catheter days, respectively. The yeast Candida albicans was the most prevalent pathogen (16 [(3.2%]), followed by Gram-positive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (11 [2.2%]) and the Gram-negative multidrug-resistant pathogen Acinetobacter baumanii. Risk factors associated with CLABSI development were age, (p = 0.05), Charlson comorbidity index > 5 (p Candida albicans was the most common causative microorganism, which was followed by Gram positive methicillin resistant Staphylococcus, MDR K. pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumanii.