【Abstract】Objective To explore the bacterial distribution and risk factors for catheter-related bloodstream infection in hemodialysis patients.  Methods We retrospectively studied 219 patients established a central venous catheter as vascular access for hemodialysis in our hospital from 2008 to 2011. The incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infection, the pathogen distribution and the related risk factors for the infection were analyzed. Results Thirty-four (15.52%) of the 219 patients with a central venous catheter suffered from catheter-related bloodstream infection, of which the main pathogens were Gram-positive bacteria (21 cases, 61.76%), including staphylococcus epidermidis 13 cases (38.23%) and staphylococcus aureus 5 cases (14.70%). The rate of catheter-related bloodstream infection was similar between the patients with femoral vein catheters and those with internal jugular vein catheters (χ2=0.914, P=0.339). Catheter-related bloodstream infection was positively related to indwelling time of catheters (χ2=13.350, P=0.001), but was unrelated to the underlying diseases (χ2=0.284, P=0.991). Conclusions The main pathogens responsible for the catheter related bloodstream infection were Gram-positive bacteria. The indwelling time of catheters was the risk factor for catheter-related bloodstream infection.