Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections in Patients on Emergent Hemodialysis.

Objective: This study had 2 objectives: (1) to describe the epidemiology of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who have no access to scheduled dialysis and (2) to evaluate whether a positive culture of the heparin-lock solution is associated with subsequent development of bacteremia.

Design: Retrospective observational cohort design for objective 1; and prospective cohort design for objective 2.

Setting And Participants: The study was conducted in a 770-bed public academic tertiary hospital in Dallas, Texas.