Objective To investigate the risk factors of central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) and provide clinical guidance for reducing the incidence of CLABSI. Methods The clinical data of patients with central venous catheter catheterization in Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital between January 2018 and December 2021 were retrospectively collected. According to whether CLABSI occurred, the patients were divided into CLABSI group and non-CLABSI group. The data of patients were analyzed and the risk factors of CLABIS were discussed. Results A total of 43 987 patients were included. Among them, there were 63 cases in the CLABSI group and 43924 cases in the non-CLABSI group. The incidence of CLABSI was 0.18/1 000 catheter days. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that admission to intensive care unit (ICU) [odds ratio (OR)=74.054, 95% confidence interval (CI) (22.661, 242.005), P<0.001], hemodialysis [OR=4.531, 95%CI (1.899, 10.809), P=0.001] and indwelling catheter days [OR=1.017, 95%CI (1.005, 1.029), P=0.005] were independent risk factors for CLABSI. A total of 63 strains of pathogenic bacteria were isolated from the 63 patients with CLABSI. Among them, 28 strains of Gram-positive bacteria, 25 strains of Gram-negative bacteria and 10 strains of Candida. Conclusions Admission to ICU, hemodialysis and long-term indwelling catheter are independent risk factors for CLABSI. The prevention and control measures of CLABSI should be strictly implemented for such patients to reduce the risk of infection.