Two-Year Observational Study of Bloodstream Infection Rates in Hemodialysis Facility Patients with and without Catheters

What is it about?

Hemodialysis patients with catheters for vascular access are at greater risk of serious bloodstream infections. A study of the adult outpatient hemodialysis facilities in New England in 2015-2016 found that four of five dialysis provider groups had significantly higher bloodstream infection rates in their catheter patients than the best-performing dialysis provider group. Furthermore, an unrecognized finding is that hemodialysis facilities with lower proportions of catheters have markedly higher bloodstream infection rates in their catheter patients than those with higher proportions of catheters. These data point to a need for better infection control training and experience of the staff in facilities with low proportions of catheters and facilities operated by some dialysis providers to improve quality of care.

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