Accidental withdrawal of catheters in 400 patients in ICU

Objective

To determine the accidental withdrawal of catheters for an assistance quality control.

Methods

It is a prospective study in a 20-bed medical surgical ICU. Included were all patients admitted from 1 May 2000 to 31 December 2000.

Results

Included were 400 patients (233 males). Mean age was 56.80 ± 17.27 years, APACHE-II was 13.23 ± 5.25. Mortality was 16.50%. Patients distribution was: 185 cardiac surgery, 35 cardiologic, 23 pulmonary, 16 digestive, 51 neurologic, 43 traumathol-ogy, 13 intoxication, 32 sepsis and two others. Patients percentage with catheter and the accidental withdrawals per 100 days of catheter were: 86% orotracheal tube (0.70), 98% central venous catheter (0.23), 29% central venous catheter by peripheral access (0.18), 67% jugular vein catheter (0.33), 35% subclavian vein catheter (0.17), 13% femoral vein catheter (0.17), 90% artery catheter (1.26), 82% radial artery catheter (1.35), 13% femoral artery catheter (1.10), 2% pedal artery catheter (0), 2% humeral artery catheter (0), 91% gastric catheter (6.4), 96% Foley catheter (0.02), 7% thoracic drainage tube (0), 7% abdominal drainage tube (0), 3% intracraneal pressure catheter (0.55).

Conclusions

According to the literature we have an acceptable rate of accidental withdrawal of catheters. This is an important aspect, not very studied, of an assistance quality control. More studies are necessary to establish the standards.