LAUSR

BACKGROUND Despite the extensive use of central lines for ICU patients in Oman, no studies have been conducted among adult ICU patients to assess the prevalence and predictors of CLABSIs. AIM To estimate the prevalence of ICU-acquired CLABSIs, identify the most common causative microorganisms and define possible related risk factors associated with ICU-acquired CLABSIs among adult ICU patients in Oman. METHOD A retrospective case-control design was used to screen electronic medical records of for all adult ICU patients admitted over two years (2018-2019) in two tertiary hospitals in Oman. The CDC definition of CLABSIs was used to allocate a cases group (n = 58), and a randomly selected controls group (n = 174). RESULTS The prevalence of ICU-acquired CLABSIs was 8.9 and 8.31 per 1000 catheter days for the years 2018 and 2019 respectively. The most common isolated microorganisms were gram-positive bacteria (46.6%). The risk factors for ICU-acquired CLABSIs are: heart failure (Odds Ratio [OR] = 11.67, p < 0.001), female gender (OR = 0.352, p = 0.035), presence of other infections (OR = 3.4, p = 0.009), tracheostomy (OR = 5.34, p = 0.004), and Total Parenteral Nutrition (OR = 3.469, p = 0.020). CONCLUSION The prevalence of ICU-acquired CLABSIs in developing countries like Oman is higher than most of developed countries. The current study provides baseline data that can be used as a reference for future national studies and help in building strategies to prevent and control ICU-acquired CLABSIs.