Occurrence rate and risk factors for long‐term central line‐associated bloodstream infections in patients with cancer: A systematic review

Abstract Introduction Central line‐associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) is a public health problem that harms patients' outcomes and healthcare costs, especially in susceptible populations such as patients with cancer. Overall, systematic queries about etiology, risks, and epidemiology are explained by data from observational studies, which better underline the relationship between factors and incidence of disease. However, no recent systematic reviews of observational studies on adult patients with cancer have been conducted on this topic, considering the wide range of all potential factors which can contribute to the increase in infection rate in the hospitalized adults with cancer. This study systematically reviewed observational studies investigating the occurrence rate of CLABSI and its risk factors for long‐term inserted central catheter‐related infections in hospitalized adult cancer patients. Methods A systematic review was performed on four databases from the earliest available date until December 2020. Retrospective and prospective cohort studies focused on the occurrence rate of CLABSI and its risk factors in hospitalized adult cancer patients. The pooled occurrence rate of CLABSI (95% CI) was calculated by applying a random‐effects model. Results Of 1712 studies, 8 were eligible, and the data of device‐related infection rate were meta‐analyzed. The pooled occurrence rate of CLABSI was roughly 8% (95% CI [4%, 14%]). The device characteristics, device's management aspects, therapies administration, and select patients' clinical conditions represent the main risk factors for long‐term catheter‐related infection in cancer patients. Linking Evidence to Action Considering the substantial infection rate among cancer patients, identifying risk rate factors is pivotal to support evidence‐grounded preventive strategies and maximize cancer patient safety. This study's results could guide policymakers and healthcare leaders and future research studies to disseminate appropriate risk‐reducing management culture and implement standardized research and clinical approach to the investigated phenomenon as an infection surveillance strategy.