Jpen Parenter Enter
-
Jpen Parenter Enter · Jan 1994
Comparative StudyThe effect of catheter type and site on infection rates in total parenteral nutrition patients.
Infections pose a major problem in patients receiving total parenteral nutrition. Controversy continues concerning the effect of catheter type (triple-, double-, single-lumen, or pulmonary artery), insertion site (subclavian, internal jugular, or femoral vein), and the incidence of catheter-related infections. We retrospectively studied multi-lumen catheter use for total parenteral nutrition over a 6-month period in 192 patients, a total of 3334 catheter days. ⋯ There were no differences in infection rates at any site based on catheter type; however, when triple-lumen catheter sites were compared, the differences were significant (p < .001 vs subclavian, chi 2). Catheter duration was 7.8 days (subclavian),, 7.3 days (internal jugular), and 4.6 (femoral) days. These data suggest that the use of multi-lumen catheters for total parenteral nutrition is safe, that there is a benefit associated with the subclavian route, and that the femoral site should be avoided.