1Hunter New England Local Health District, Australia, 2HMRI Infection Research Program, Newcastle, Australia, 3University of Newcastle School of Medicine and Public Health, Newcastle, Australia
Biography:
A Junior Medical Officer that has just begun his medical career in a rural hospital, keen on improving standard of care and access to healthcare in regional areas.
Abstract:
Introduction
Peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) are one of the most widely used medical devices in hospitals. Despite a higher risk of infectious complications, the antecubital fossa (ACF) remains a common insertion site. The Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD) is in New South Wales and has a population of 1 million residents. Using data from a prospectively managed electronic infection control database (ICNet), we describe the characteristics of PIVC related SABSI events over an 10-year period.
Methods
PIVC-related SABSI events between January 2014 to December 2025 attributable to hospitals within HNELHD were identified via the ICNET database. Where available, digital medical records (DMR) of all patients were reviewed to determine factors such as site of insertion, dwell time and 30- and 90- day mortality.
Results
A total of 177 infection events were eligible. 135 had full medical records available, whilst 42 were not able to be fully accessed. Of the PIVCs where the insertion site was known, 47% (74/156) were attributed to a PIVC infection in the ACF, with the next most common being the wrist at 29 events. The overall mortality of SABSIs was 19.2% at 30 days and 24.3% at 90 days.
Conclusion
In our patient population, ACF PIVCs disproportionately contributed to SABSI events when compared to other insertion sites. ACF cannulas are high risk and should be avoided unless deemed necessary to meet an individual parietin’s care need