Objective To investigate the incidence and factors of central venous catheter-related bacteremia in patients undergoing blood purification in our hospital. Methods We retrospectively evaluated the correlation of bacteremia to age, sex, the way of catheterization and the indwelling time of the catheter in 445 episodes of temporary central venous catheterization. We also studied the variety of pathogenic bacteria causing bacteremia and their resistance to antibiotics. Results The incidence of catheter-associated bacteremia accounted for 5.79%, i.e., 1.19 episodes per 1,000 catheter per day. The bacteremia was unrelated to the way of catheterrization (P=0.89) but was significantly related to the indwelling time of the catheter (P＜0.05). The frequently isolated pathogenic bacteria included staphylococcus aureus (20.80%), enterococcus (16.60%), Klebsiella (8.30%) and staphylococcus warneri (8.30%). Conclusion The occurrence of catheter-related bacteremia was related to the indwelling time of the catheter but not to age, sex and the way of the catheterization. Patients with indwelling catheter for more than 2 weeks had higher risks of bacteremia.