Abstract：Objective To assess the incidence of catheter-associated nosocomial infections of ICU patients. Methods Totally 480 eligible ICU patients were enrolled in this study. The incidence of catheterization and catheter-related nosocomial infection were prospectively observed and the data were analyzed statistically. Results Among 480 ICU patients with indwelling catheters, 121 patients had catheter-related infection, and the infection rate was 25.2%. The most common infection was catheter related nosocomial infection (51.7%). Infections occurred in 44 cases out of 193 cases of intubation patients, with a rate of 22.8%. Infections occurred in 79 cases out of 410 cases of catheterization patients, with a rate of 19.2%. Infections occurred in 30 cases out of 370 patients with indwelling central venous catheter, with a rate of 8.1%. Intubation patients had a highest incidence of nosocomial infections, with a rate of 10.4‰. The infection rate was significantly different among patients with indwelling different catheter numbers (χ2=33.540,P<0.001). Conclusion ICU patients are prone to catheter-associated nosocomial infections, and catheter related infection is an important component. The more ducts patients indwell, the higher infection incidence patients have, especially catheters and endotracheal catheters related infections. Strict control of catheterization indications and strengthening medical care of catheters and endotracheal intubation is the key to reducing catheter-related nosocomial infections in ICU.
