“…5,21,22 Data from seven Brazilian NICUs showed that the incidence of bloodstream infection associated with vascular catheter varies by birth weight: 34.9/1,000 vascular catheter (VC) days in premature infants weighing < 1,000 g, 20.4/1,000 VC days in premature infants weighing between 1,001-1,500 g, 17.3/1,000 VC days in those weighing between 1,501-2,500 g and, 18.1/1,000 VC days in infants weighing > 2,500 g. 23 These rates are much higher than those found in the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN), which shows rates of 4.4/1,000 VC days in those weighing < 1,000 g, 4.8/1,000 VC days between 1,001-1,500 g, 4.2/1,000 VC days between 1,501-2,500 g. and 3.1/1,000 VC days in those weighing > 2,500 g, and reinforce the importance of catheter-associated infection in this environment and the need for preventive measures against this condition of concern. 5, 24,25 In the questionnaire on vascular catheters, it was observed that only two-thirds of the centers have a PICC insertion and maintenance team, with this representing an aspect to be improved, which can be crucial as a LOS prevention strategy. The other catheter care procedures were similar between centers.…”