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O062: Contamination of umbilical catheters by Staphylococcus epidermidis in neonatology: is there a link with a change in the standard of care?
Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control volume 2, Article number: O62 (2013)
Introduction
The presence of Staphylococcus epidermidis (SCE) on umbilical venous (UVC) or artery catheters (UAC) suggests defects either in catheter care or in hand hygiene compliance.
Objectives
The aim of this study was to assess colonization of UVC and UAC with SCE before and after care practice of such catheters was changed.
Methods
This observational before-after study was conducted in the neonatology unit of HUG between January 2002 and December 2012. SCE-colonization rates before and after protocol change in August 2011 was compared by chi-square test and Poisson regression model. In the new protocol, UVC and UAC were not covered by a dressing but left at air. All neonates with the following risk factors were eligible: gestational age [GA] <32 weeks, birth weight <1500g, invasive device, surgery, use of parenteral nutrition, systemic antibiotics.
Results
In total, 2832 neonates were analyzed. Mean birth weight (±SD) was 2179g (±970) and 213 neonates had GA < 32 weeks(7.5%). SCE colonization on UVC and UAC was 54/1070 (5.1%) and 16/435 (3.7%), respectively. Colonization on UVC was significantly higher after procedure change in the univariate (53.7/1000 catheter-days versus 9.6/1000; P<0.001) as well as in the multivariate analysis adjusting for GA, birth weight, and multiple pregnancy (IRR [95% CI]: 2.4 [1.4-4.3]; P=0.003). Colonization of UAC was significantly higher after procedure change in the univariate (43.5/1000 cathter-days versus 7.9/1000; P<0.001) as well as in the multivariate analysis (IRR [95%CI]: 5.0 [1.7-15.2]; P=0.004). No association was found for catheter-related bloodstream infection.
Conclusion
Leaving umbilical catheters exposed to air rather than protected by a dressing may result in significant colonization with SCE. Larger studies must confirm our findings and test the hypothesis whether such practice promotes bloodstream infection.
Disclosure of interest
None declared.
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This article is published under license to BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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Soulake, I., Gayet-Ageron, A., Bochaton, N. et al. O062: Contamination of umbilical catheters by Staphylococcus epidermidis in neonatology: is there a link with a change in the standard of care?. Antimicrob Resist Infect Control 2 (Suppl 1), O62 (2013). https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.1186/2047-2994-2-S1-O62
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DOI: https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.1186/2047-2994-2-S1-O62