RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Catheter related blood stream infections are a significant complication of intensive care with worldwide prevalence rate around 5 cases per 1000 catheter-days. Only scanty Czech data have been published. Our study monitored the occurrence of catheter-related blood stream infections in a high dependency unit of regional hospital. METHODS: In 2008 we commenced to monitor the occurrence rate of catheter-related blood stream infections in short-term central venous catheters without antimicrobial coating. We organized a training session for medical staff and started to strictly adhere to published guidelines. After two years of keeping a register we analysed individual cases as proven, possible, or not proven blood stream infections. RESULTS: From March 2008 to March 2010 we inserted 142 central venous catheters for total time of 1423 catheter days (median 9 days). Ten catheters were removed after median of 17 days due to unexplained pyrexia. Blood stream infection was proven in 4 cases and possible in 2 cases. We have noted total 2.81 proven cases, and 4.22 proven and/or possible cases of blood stream infection per 1000 catheter-days. CONCLUSION: The register of catheter related blood stream infections is an inexpensive and time-efficient tool that improves the quality of intensive