title: Reduction of Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection Rates in Patients in the Adult Intensive Care Unit.
abstract: Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) prolong hospital stays and increase cost, morbidity, and mortality. An intensive care unit (ICU) in a suburban Baltimore hospital reduced CLABSI rates to zero in 2012, by revising central venous access device policies and initiatives, which included a bloodstream infection alert system, bundle compliance monitoring and routine evaluation, and use of positive displacement needleless connectors. The hospital's ICU infection rate decreased from 2.9/1000 central-line days in 2010 to 0.8 by 2011, 0 by 2012, and 0.91 in 2013. The utilization ratio was 0.64 in 2011, 0.60 in 2012, and 0.58 in 2013. CLABSI prevention involves all disciplines and requires staff accountability for patient safety.
authors.affiliation: University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center, Glen Burnie, Maryland (Ms Wallace); and formerly Northwest Hospital, Randallstown, Maryland (Ms Wallace and Ms Macy). Mary C. Wallace, BSN, RN, CIC®, is director of infection prevention at the University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center in Glen Burnie, Maryland. She is responsible for infection prevention and control activities and policy implementation throughout the hospital. Her background includes surgical oncology and critical care nursing, as well as 11 years in infection prevention. Deborah L. Macy, RN, BSN, MBA, COHC, was director of inpatient nursing at Northwest Hospital in Randallstown, Maryland. Her responsibilities included all inpatient areas, including acute, intermediate, intensive care, and the heart care unit.
authors.forename: Mary C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Wallace
authors.forename: Deborah L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Macy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000517:prevention & control; D015142:Baltimore; D055499:Catheter-Related Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D007362:Intensive Care Units