Evaluating catheter complications and outcomes in patients receiving home parenteral nutrition

Rationale, aims and objectives We describe catheter complications and outcomes in patients who received home parenteral nutrition (HPN) therapy. Methods Retrospective chart data were obtained from Boston Home Infusion agency that provided HPN therapy to 212 patients [International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision (ICD-9) codes: gastrointestinal (GI)-related disorders and oncology] between 1 January 2005 and 30 September 2011. Results Of the 163 patients who represented 19 104 home-catheter days, 19 (11.7%) patients experienced 25 catheter complications (CCs; 12 occlusions, 11 central line-associated bloodstream infections, one thrombosis and one line dislodgment). The overall CC rate was 1.30 per 1000 peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC)-line days. The mean number of PICC-line days (278.7 ± 335.0 vs. 95.9 ± 154.0) and patients with at least one hospital admission were significantly higher for patients with one or more CCs compared with patients with no CCs (P < 0.03). Conclusion Patients who experienced CCs had more PICC-line days, more hospital admissions and had an ICD-9 code for GI-related disorders compared with patients with oncology-related diagnoses.