The relationship between intrinsic and extrinsic factors and central venous catheter infections in the acutely ill patient

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the relationship between intrinsic and extrinsic factors and central venous catheter infections in acutely ill patients. Intrinsic factors (inherent) included sex, age, diagnoses, surgical procedures, and medical history. Extrinsic factors (external) included central venous catheter variables and other invasive medical devices. Nosocomial central venous catheter infections were categorized as catheter related bacteremias and site infections. The nonramdonized convenience sample consisted of 30 subjects who had central venous catheters in place less than 48 hours and who were able to give informed consent. A descriptive design was used and Pearson Correlational Coefficients were computed to examine the relationships between intrinsic factors, extrinsic factors and central venous catheter infections. Two cases of catheter related bacteremia were identified. No cases of site infection were documented. No significant relationships between intrinsic factors and central venous catheter infections were found. Four extrinsic factors showed a significant relationship to redness, a sign of site infection.