Mortality risk factors among non-ICU patients with nosocomial vascular catheter-related bloodstream infections: a prospective cohort study

Vascular catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) are highly preventable hospital-acquired infections and a major threat to patient safety. While there is significant information regarding CRBSI outcome among intensive care unit (ICU) patients, data regarding non-ICU patients are scarce. To determine the risk factors associated with 30-day mortality among non-ICU patients with nosocomial CRBSIs. Prospective cohort study of non-ICU patients with nosocomial CRBSIs in a tertiary care centre between January 2004 and December 2014. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality, defined as death from any cause within 30 days of CRBSI. Follow-up was performed 30 days after CRBSI onset. Time until death was the dependent variable in Cox regression analysis. In total, 546 cases of CRBSI were identified. The mean age of patients was 64.5 years [interquartile range (IQR) 55–75 years], 66% were male, and the mean Charlson score was 3.59 (IQR 2–5). Of the 546 cases, 58.4% resulted from central venous catheters and 41.6% from peripheral venous catheters. The causative agents were Gram-positive cocci (70.1% of cases), Gram-negative bacilli (31.1%) and Candida spp. (1%). Mortality within 30 days was 13.9%, with no significant changes over the study period. Independent risk factors for 30-day mortality were Charlson score ≥4 [hazard ratio (HR) 1.80, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.19–2.73], Staphylococcus aureus infection (HR 2.67, 95% CI 1.61–4.43) and Candida spp. infection (HR 6.1, 95% CI 2.08–18.04). Age; area of admission; type, use and site of vascular catheter; and administration of appropriate empirical antibiotic treatment were not independent risk factors for 30-day mortality. Nosocomial CRBSIs outside ICUs are associated with high risk of mortality, particularly among patients with a higher Charlson score and bloodstream infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Candida spp.