Background: Multi-lumen (ML) peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are associated with increased risk of central line associated blood stream infection (CLABSI), venous thromboembolism (VTE) and increased cost compared to single lumen (SL) PICCs. Current guidelines recommend minimizing the number of PICC lumens. However, there is a paucity of literature to guide the selection of SL [...]

Background: Blood stream infection is associated with high mortality and morbidity. Blood cultures are considered the gold standard for diagnosing bacteremia in sepsis patients. However, blood culture results may take at least 12 to 24 hours for a positive result and may even be complicated by contamination. Procalcitonin (PCT) a biomarker for bacterial infection is [...]

Background: Central line-associated blood stream infections (CLABSIs) are a substantial source of morbidity and mortality. A previous meta-analysis of 1,976 CLABSI cases showed an odds ratio for in-hospital death of 2.75 (CI 1.86-4.07).[1] CLABSIs have also been associated with higher hospital costs and longer length of stay (LOS).[2] Methods: Data was collected from all CLABSI [...]