ICU Catheters linked to rise in bloodstream infections, AIIMS Study Reveals

A recent study by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, has highlighted a significant rise in bloodstream infections linked to catheter use in Indian hospitals, particularly in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). These infections, often caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, make treatment difficult, increasing hospital stays and healthcare costs. Central line catheters, tubes inserted into large veins to deliver fluids or medicines, are commonly linked to these infections.

Estimates published in The Lancet Global Health journal show that on average, around nine bloodstream infection events occur every 1,000 days that a central line -- a catheter inserted in a patient's large vein instead of an intravenous line -- was in place in the intensive care units (ICUs) of Indian hospitals, reports PTI.

Most of these infections are hospital-acquired but can be prevented with proper care. The study analysed data from 200 ICUs across 54 hospitals between May 2017 and April 2024, identifying 8,629 confirmed CLABSI cases. Infection rates peaked during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-21, driven by high patient loads, staff shortages, and inadequate infection control. Researchers stress the urgent need for better surveillance systems and preventive measures despite resource challenges.