ICU-acquired central line-associated bloodstream infection and its associated factors in Oman

BACKGROUND: Despite the extensive use of central lines for ICU patients in Oman, no studies have been conducted among adult ICU patients to assess the prevalence, and predictors of CLABSIs.

AIM: To estimate the prevalence of ICU-acquired CLABSIs, identify the most common causative microorganisms, and define possible related risk factors associated with ICU-acquired CLABSIs among adult ICU patients in Oman.

METHOD: A retrospective case-control design was used to screen electronic medical records of for all adult ICU patients admitted over 2 years (2018-2019) in 2 tertiary hospitals in Oman. The CDC definition of CLABSIs was used to allocate a cases group (n = 58), and a randomly selected controls group (n = 174).

RESULTS: The prevalence of ICU-acquired CLABSIs was 8.9 and 8.31 per 1,000 catheter days for the years 2018 and 2019 respectively. The most common isolated microorganisms were gram-positive bacteria (46.6%). The risk factors for ICU-acquired CLABSIs are: heart failure (Odds Ratio [OR] = 11.67, P < .001), female gender (OR = 0.352, P = .035), presence of other infections (OR = 3.4, P = .009), tracheostomy (OR = 5.34, P = .004), and Total Parenteral Nutrition (OR = 3.469, P = .020).

CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of ICU-acquired CLABSIs in developing countries like Oman is higher than most of developed countries. The current study provides baseline data that can be used as a reference for future national studies and help in building strategies to prevent and control ICU-acquired CLABSIs.