In a multivariate logistic regression for CLABSI risk, which insertion site shows a protective association?

• A. Subclavian vein as CVC insertion line
• B. Internal jugular vein as CVC insertion line
• C. Femoral vein as CVC insertion line
• D. Axillary vein as CVC insertion line

Answer: (A)

In this context, a protective association means that using a particular insertion site lowers the odds of developing CLABSI after accounting for other factors. The subclavian vein as the central venous catheter insertion site tends to show lower CLABSI odds compared with other sites when multivariate analysis controls for variables like catheter duration, patient comorbidities, and care setting. This reflects an association where the odds ratio is less than one, indicating reduced infection risk at that site.

The other sites don’t show this protective pattern consistently in analyses; femoral access, for example, is often associated with higher infection risk due to the groin location, and internal jugular access can have higher or comparable risk depending on study and adjustments. The takeaway is that, in this analysis, the subclavian route is linked to lower infection odds, while the others do not.