RESUMEN
In our neonatal intensive care unit, the incidence density of infections related to central catheters, assessed retrospectively over 2 years, exceeded that described in the literature. To reduce this incidence density, clinical practice guidelines were implemented for the insertion and maintenance of central lines. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the protocol on the incidence density and the incidence rate of nosocomial bloodborne infections. This was a prospective study in a neonatal intensive care unit of the Fort-de-France University Hospital over 17 months, which included all premature infants with a central line. We studied the adherence to the protocol, possible complications related to the protocol, the characteristics of the population, the incidence rate, and the density of specific central catheter-related infections. There were 111 children, 122 catheters, and 2575 catheter days during period 1 and 101 children, 125 catheters, and 1631 catheter days during period 2. Gestational age and birth weight were significantly lower in period 2 (29.6±2.3 GW vs 27.3±1.9, P=0.001; 1239±379g vs 915±175g, P<0.001) and the catheterization duration differed between the 2 periods (20±11 days vs 13±6 days, P<0.0001). A trend for a lower incidence density of infection was observed in the second period (16 per 1000 catheter days vs 10 per 1000 catheter days, P=0.06). Although the 2 groups' baseline characteristics were different, this study suggests a positive impact of clinical practice guidelines for the insertion and maintenance of central venous catheters on the incidence of nosocomial infections related to central catheters.