Infection Associated with Percutaneous Catheter | Risk Factors

Person performing insertion:

(1) The lower the level of training, the higher the rate of infection.

(2) A person from a trained, dedicated catheter insertion team has the lowest rate of infection.

(3) Training medical students and residents on proper catheter insertion techniques can reduce infection rates.

Urgency of insertion:

(1) An elective insertion has a lower infection rate than one that is done in an emergency situation.

Type of insertion:

(1) An insertion through a cutdown has a higher rate of infection than a percutaneous insertion.

Site of insertion:

(1) A femoral location has the highest rate of infection.

(2) A jugular or subclavian location has an intermediate rate of infection.

(3) A peripheral vein in the arm has the lowest rate of infection.

Type of Catheter:

(1) A longer catheter such as a central line has a higher rate of infection than a peripheral line.

(2) A plastic catheter has a higher rate of infection than a steel needle.

Duration of insertion:

(1) Insertion for >= 72 hours has a higher rate of infection than < 72 hours.