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Can Antimicrobial PICCs Reduce CLABSI Risk?

Am J Infect Control; ePub 2016 Oct 27; Kramer, et al

Antimicrobial peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) may reduce central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI), especially in high-risk subgroups, a recent study found. This study of 12,879 adult and pediatric patients from intensive care, long-term care, and general ward settings evaluated whether antimicrobial PICCs are associated with CLABSI reduction. Researchers found:

  • Incidence of CLABSI in patients with antimicrobial PICCs was 0.2% and incidence among nonantimicrobial catheters was 5.3%.
  • Antimicrobial PICCs were associated with a significant reduction in CLABSI (RR, 0.29) when compared with noncoated PICCs.
  • 26 patients needed to be treated with antimicrobial PICCs to prevent 1 CLABSI.
  • Adults at greater baseline risk of CLABSI had greater reduction in CLABSI (RR, 0.20).

Citation:

Kramer RD, Rogers MA, Conte M, Mann J, Saint S, Chopra V. Are antimicrobial peripherally inserted central catheters associated with reduction in central line-associated bloodstream infection? A systematic review and meta-analysis. [Published online ahead of print October 27, 2016]. Am J Infect Control. doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2016.07.021.