Background: Increasing nosocomial infections during the COVID-19 pandemic have been reported. However, data describing peripheral venous catheter associated bloodstream infections (PVC-BSI) are limited.

Aims: To describe the epidemiology and risk factors for PVC-BSI during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: We conducted retrospective cohort study of prospectively collected PVC-BSI data in a 2100 bed hospital network in Switzerland. Adult patients with a PVC inserted between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2021 were included. Risk factors for PVC-BSI were identified through descriptive analysis of patient and catheter characteristics, and univariable marginal Cox models.

Results: 206,804 PVCs and 37 PVC-BSI were analysed. Most PVC-BSI were attributed to catheters inserted in the Emergency department (76%) or surgical wards (22%). PVC-BSI increased in 2021 compared to 2020 (hazard ratio 2021 vs. 2020 = 2.73; 95% confidence interval 1.19-6.29), with a numerically higher rate of Staphylococcus aureus (1/10, 10%, vs. 5/27, 19%) and polymicrobial infection (0/10, 0% vs. 4/27, 15%). PVC insertions, patient characteristics, and catheter characteristics remained similar across the study period. PVC-BSI risk was associated with admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), and use of wide gauge catheter ( < = 16G).

Conclusion: Increased PVC-BSI during the COVID-19 pandemic was not explained by catheter or patient factors alone, and may result from system-wide changes. PVC-BSI events are primarily attributed to acute care settings, including the emergency department, surgical wards, and the ICU.

Pianca E, Zanella MC, Obama BM, Nguyen A, Fortchantre L, Chraiti MN, Harbarth S, Catho G, MacPhail A, Buetti N. Increase in PVC-BSI during the second COVID-19 pandemic year: analysis of catheter and patient characteristics. Antimicrob Resist Infect Control. 2024 Oct 8;13(1):120. doi: 10.1186/s13756-024-01476-4. PMID: 39380114; PMCID: PMC11463163.