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Background: Ethanol lock therapy (ELT) with systemic antimicrobial therapy (SAT) is a treatment for catheter-associated bloodstream infections (CABSI). However, its impact on hospital length of stay (LOS) is unknown., Objectives: Assess the impact of ELT on LOS, LOS attributable to CABSI (ALOS), and catheter salvage in pediatric hematology, oncology, stem cell transplant (HOSCT) CABSI., Methods: Retrospective review of HOSCT CABSI from January 2009 to July 2011., Results: A total of 124 CABSI episodes were reviewed in 66 patients. Mean LOS with ELT after 1 positive blood culture (BC) was 7.1 versus 12.3 days after ≥2 positive BC (P = .014). Mean ALOS was 1.6 days with ELT versus 2.9 days without ELT (P = .018). Mean ALOS with ELT after 1 positive BC was 3.75 days versus 5.8 days after ≥2 positive BC (P = .022). Catheter salvage rate: 41 of 48 (85%) with ELT versus 49 of 68 (72%) without ELT (P = .169)., Conclusion: Earlier initiation of ELT may decrease ALOS., (© The Author(s) 2014.)

Background: Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) is a known complication of central line use. Salvage of infected central lines with ethanol lock therapy (ELT) with systemic antimicrobials may be an alternative treatment option in children., Methods: Retrospective review was performed in children with CLASBI who underwent short-dwell ELT (70% ethanol, 4- to 25-hour dwell times ≤3 days) with systemic antimicrobials from January 1, 2007 to July 15, 2009., Results: A total of 59 patients, aged 2 months to 19 years (mean ± SD = 6.3 ± 6.1 years) with 80 episodes of CLABSI were included. The CLABSI eradication rate was 86% (69/80 episodes; 95% confidence interval [CI] 78%, 94%), significantly greater than 50% (Z = 2.35, P < .05), the estimated clearance rate of CLABSI eradication using systemic antimicrobials alone. Overall central line retention was 78% (60/77 episodes, 95% CI 69%, 87%). ELT was well tolerated., Conclusions: These findings suggest the potential benefit of short-dwell ELT combined with systemic antimicrobials in CLABSI treatment. Randomized controlled trials are needed.