Nurs Open. 2026 Aug;13(8):e70751. doi: 10.1002/nop2.70751.
ABSTRACT
AIM: This study aimed to examine clinical and catheter-related factors associated with peripherally inserted central catheter-related infection, with particular attention to the association between thrombus formation and infection occurrence.
DESIGN: This was a retrospective observational study. Clinical data from 147 inpatients with peripherally inserted central catheters were analyzed. Patients were categorized into an infection group and a non-infection group according to the catheter-related infection status recorded in the available clinical records.
METHODS: Bilirubin level, white blood cell count, return pressure, heparin dose, blood flow rate, citrate level, platelet count, thrombus formation, gender, age and debilitated status were analyzed. Pearson’s chi-square test, Spearman correlation analysis and univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate factors associated with catheter-related infection.
RESULTS: Among the 147 patients with peripherally inserted central catheters, 84 were male and 63 were female, and 31 patients were classified as having recorded catheter-related infection. Pearson’s chi-square test showed a significant association between the recorded thrombus variable and catheter-related infection status (p = 0.027). Spearman correlation analysis also showed a significant correlation between these variables (ρ = 0.182, p = 0.027). In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, the recorded thrombus variable was associated with catheter-related infection status (OR = 4.185, 95% CI: 1.625-11.411, p = 0.004), while female gender was associated with lower odds of infection (OR = 0.376, 95% CI: 0.155-0.904, p = 0.030). The other analyzed variables were not statistically significant. These findings should be interpreted as observational associations rather than evidence of causality.
PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: This study was based on retrospective clinical data from patients with peripherally inserted central catheters. No direct patient or public involvement occurred in the design, conduct or reporting of the study. The findings may help inform future catheter care and nursing assessment, but they should be interpreted within the limitations of the retrospective observational design.
PMID:42612079 | DOI:10.1002/nop2.70751
