Dr Winston Giang1, Dr Joy Han1, Dr Renee Jin1, Dr Sarah Browning1,2,3
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 standards 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 11-year period.
Methods: PIVC-related SABSI events between January 2014 to December 2024 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, documentation, and 30- and 90- day mortality events.
Results: A total of 177 infection events were eligible. Of these, 64 patients had no available digital medical record. Of the remaining 113 events, 65 (57.5%) were attributed to a PIVC infection in the ACF, with the next most common being the wrist at 24 events. The overall mortality of SABSIs was 19.2% at 30 days and 24.3% at 90 days. PIVCs had the shortest inserted in the ACF had an average dwell time of 58.98 hours, compared to 80.81 hours for non-ACF PIVCs.
Conclusion: In our patient population, ACF PIVCs disproportionately contribute 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 needs.