Prevalence of CVC-associated Sepsis and Use of Blood Cultures in Berlin - Brandenburg

Retrospective Analysis of Proven Bacteremia, CVC-associated Infections and Sepsis

Structured web-based survey in selected hospitals with intensive care units in Berlin- Brandenburg to collect data on the overall number of blood cultures (used) and the prevalence of (positive blood cultures in patients with) CVC - associated sepsis.

The use of CVC represents one of the major risk factors for sepsis, a highly prevalent disease in ICUs. Blood cultures obtained prior to antibiotic administration are part of the SSC Resuscitation Bundle and essential for the outcome of the patient. The CDC criteria to diagnose sepsis do not take into account the overall number of blood cultures obtained and thus, lead to an underestimation of the true incidence of sepsis. Up to now, few data is available on the total number of blood cultures obtained and the relation to the incidence of sepsis in German ICUs.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Intensive care units of hospitals in the INABBRA alliance.
• Patients with bacteremia.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Hospitals without intensive care unit.