Evaluation of infection status of patients with acute renal failure according to catheter placement site: a retrospective study

Aims: Acute renal failure (ARF) develops frequently in intensive care units, and hemodialysis (HD) is used for its treatment. Infections of catheters used in HD procedures directly affect patient care, workload, and cost. This study aimed to determine the infection status according to catheter placement in patients who developed ABF and received HD treatment. Methods: The study was designed as a retrospective-descriptive study. The data collection form created by the researcher was applied to the files of 362 patients who completed their treatment in the intensive care unit of a hospital in İstanbul between November 2018 and October 2019. Ethics committee and institutional approval were obtained, and the study was initiated. Results: Infection was observed in 52% of the femoral region, 27.1% in the jugular region, and 20.3% in the subclavian region. Diabetes (49.2%), hypertension (42.4%), intensive care unit length of stay of 15 days or more, use of 1% chlorhexidine in catheter care, and infection status were significantly different (p<0.05). Conclusion: The femoral region has the highest rate of infection. Considering this rate, nurses should carefully perform catheter care and infection follow-up and take necessary precautions to prevent infection to reduce workload and catheter losses.