Catheter-related bloodstream infec-tion and implementing Iran Noso-comial Infections Surveillance Software

Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CR-BSIs) are the most serious and frequently occurring complications of vascular catheters, carrying a high morbidity and mortality, and increasing the cost of medical treatment and length of hospitalization. This study was designed to determine both the incidence of CR-BSIs and the accuracy of Iran Nosocomial Infections Surveillance Software (INIS Software). A prospective study was performed during a 4 month period in 2009 to assess the incidence density of CR-BSI per 1000 catheter-days in patients with central venous catheter admitted to the ICUs of a teaching hospital in Iran, according to the CDC criteria for diagnosis of CR-BSIs. Then the primary data were input to the INIS Software, and the results were compared. In this study, among 67 admitted patients, blood cultures were positive in 9 patients (13%) and 2 patients (2.98%) developed CR-BSI. The incidence of CR- BSI was 1.98 per 1000 catheter days. The mean age of patients in CR-BSI group was 66 ±19.79 years. The mean length of ICU stay was significantly higher among patients with CR-BSI (49±14.14 days) than patients without CR-BSI (14.41±11.62 days) (P value < 0.001). The mean catheterization days was also higher among CR-BSI group (49±14.14 days) than non CR-BSI group (14±11.34 days) (P value<0.001).These results were 100% consistent with Iran Nosocomial Infections Surveillance Software. The incidence of CR-BSI in our study was not high, and there was a positive correlation between ICU stay and catheterization days and occurrence of CR-BSI. The application of INISS can cause convenience and accuracy in diagnosis of CR-BSI.