Impact of postplacement adjustment of peripherally inserted central catheters on the risk of bloodstream infection and venous thrombus formation.

Objective: Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) tip malposition is potentially associated with complications, and postplacement adjustment of PICCs is widely performed. We sought to characterize the association between central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) or venous thrombus (VT) and PICC adjustment.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: University of Michigan Health System, a large referral hospital.

Patients: Patients who had PICCs placed between February 2007 and August 2007.

Methods: The primary outcomes were development of CLABSI within 14 days or VT within 60 days of postplacement PICC adjustment, identified by review of patient electronic medical records.

Results: There were 57 CLABSIs (2.69/1,000 PICC-days) and 47 VTs (1.23/1,000 PICC-days); 609 individuals had 1, 134 had 2, and 33 had 3 or more adjustments. One adjustment was protective against CLABSI (P=.04), whereas 2 or 3 or more adjustments had no association with CLABSI (P=.58 and .47, respectively). One, 2, and 3 or more adjustments had no association with VT formation (P=.59, .85, and .78, respectively). Immunosuppression (P<.01), power-injectable PICCs (P=.05), and 3 PICC lumens compared with 1 lumen (P=.02) were associated with CLABSI. Power-injectable PICCs were also associated with increased VT formation (P=.03).

Conclusions: Immunosuppression and 3 PICC lumens were associated with increased risk of CLABSI. Power-injectable PICCs were associated with increased risk of CLABSI and VT formation. Postplacement adjustment of PICCs was not associated with increased risk of CLABSI or VT.