Background:

Central venous catheter (CVC) related infection is associated with high morbidity and mortality. It has also been linked to CVC-associated bacteremia, catheter dysfunctions, as well as handling and hygienic measures taken during that time.

Objective:

The aim of the present study is to compare the bacteremia rate between 2019 and 2020, the last one during which the SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic started. The study was accomplished in a hemodialysis unit at the Comunidad Autonoma de Madrid hospital.

Material and Method: An observational retrospective cross-sectional study has been carried out in which data related to the management and functioning of the catheter were compared to the bacteremia rate linked to the catheter between 2019 and 2020 through the unit's database.

Results:

In 2019, thirty-five patients were included, who had a bacteraemia rate of 1.42/1,000 catheter days, and twenty-nine patients in 2020, with a bacteraemia rate of 1.82/1,000 catheter days, finding no significant differences (p=0.54), as well as not finding an increased or decreased bacteremia risk during the first year of the pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Conclusions:

As the main conclusion of this case of study, we are able to confirm that there is no evidence of the coronavirus pandemic and the measures adopted against the SARS-CoV-2 virus (both organizational and preventives), being a risk or protection factor in regard to the bacteraemia rate, most likely due to the low number of events found.