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Objective: Ultrasound (US)-guided durable tunneled femoral central venous catheters (TF-CVCs) are a safe central venous access option in infants and neonates. Studies have shown, however, that femoral central venous access has the potential for high central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rates with a significant increase in risk for line-related thrombosis. Our aims were to describe the bedside insertion technique and evaluate the safety and complication rates of TF-CVCs in high-risk, young, pediatric cardiac intensive-care unit (PCICU) population. Design: A retrospective observational cohort study. Setting: University affiliated, tertiary-care hospital, PCICU. Patients: All PCICU patients that underwent bedside TF-CVC insertion were enrolled. Data was collected from the electronic medical record system. Interventions: None. Measurements and Main Results: During April 2016 to October 2021, 103 TF-CVC lines were inserted into 94 pediatric cardiac critical care patients, at the bedside. Patients' characteristics were median (IQR) age of 47.5 days (22.6, 120.5), weight 3.3 kg (2.9, 4.3), 33% prevalence of genetic anomalies, need for ECMO support in 20.4%, and STAT category 4-5 in 53.4%. All procedures were performed by intensivists. There were no immediate procedure-related complications. TF-CVCs were inserted on average on post-operative day (POD) 14, median line indwell duration was 25 days (16.3, 42.3) and total TF-CVC dwell duration for the entire cohort of 3442.7 days. During the study period eight CLABSI events were recorded (2.3/1000 line-days). Line obstruction rate was 1.16/1000 line-days and six lines were dislodged in the intermediate-care unit. There was no symptomatic line-related thrombosis. Conclusions: We show that US-guided durable tunneled femoral central venous catheter (TF-CVC) insertion by an intensivist at the bedside is a technically feasible and safe prolonged central venous access option in critically ill, high-risk infants and neonates in the PCICU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess a novel silver-plated dressing (SD) for central venous catheters in comparison to chlorhexidine gluconate–impregnated sponge (CHGIS) dressings in preventing central line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) in adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Tampa General Hospital, an academic medical tertiary care center. Patients: All adult ICU patients of an academic medical tertiary care center from January 2009 to December 2010. Measurements and Main Results: A total of 3189 patient records were studied from 7 different ICUs during the 2-year period. Patients received either CHGIS dressings (January 2009-December 2009) or SDs (January 2010-December 2010). Primary outcomes measured were CLABSI rates per 1000 catheter days and ICU length of stay. There were 30 696 catheter days with CHGIS dressings and 31 319 catheter days with SDs. There was a statistically significant decrease in the rate of CLABSI per 1000 catheter days in the SD group, from 2.38 to 1.28 (P =.001), with an absolute risk reduction of 1.1. There was a significantly lower incidence in the rate of CLABSI per 1000 catheter days in the SD group (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 0.54, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.36-0.80). The relative risk of CLABSI in the SD group was 0.502 (95% CI: 0.340-0.730; P <.001). If SDs are used on all catheters, the decreased rate of CLABSIs observed would calculate to a cost savings of US$4070 to US$39 600 per 1000 catheter days. After successful implementation of the SD, we observed significant reductions in CLABSI rates and a sustained reduction in the subsequent 6 years. Conclusion: Use of SDs is associated with a significant decrease in CLABSI rates in adult ICU patients compared to CHGIS dressings, with an estimated cost savings of US$4070 to US$39 600 per 1000 catheter days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hospital-acquired infections are a common and costly problem facing critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). Critically ill patients with cancer are a particularly vulnerable subpopulation who possesses additional, nonmodifiable risk factors for developing these infections and, in many cases, are at increased risk of death as a result. This review will describe the most common nosocomial infections patients with cancer acquire while in the ICU: ventilator-associated events, central line-associated bloodstream infection, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and Clostridium difficile infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]