Objective To study the catheter-related infection (CRI) in cancer patients treated with central venous catheterization. Methods A prospective study with 196 cancer patients was conducted to analyze the types of catheter-related infection and pathogen, as well as the relationship between CRI and the following factors: insert location, gender, age, remained time, or bone marrow suppression. Results Of the total 196 cases, 16 cases were diagnosed as CRI and the CRI rate was 8.2%. The types of CRI were five cases of pathogen colonization, four cases of insert location infection and seven cases of catheter-related bloodstream infection. Of the total 244 specimens, 20 were positive including 7 pathogenic bacteria in either Gram positive or Gram negative types, the dominating pathogens were staphylococcus aureus, staphylococcus epidermidis, acinetobacter baumannii and klebsiella pneumoniae. CRI was related to both insert location and age which were both the independent risk factors. Conclusion The concept of prevention should be set up, and the comprehensive measures should be taken to reduce CRI, such as choosing an appropriate insert location and complying with a strict catheter insert standard.
