What is CLABSI?
- Central line-associated blood stream infections (CLABSI)
- Required data point for reporting hospital-acquired infections (HAI)
- Four recognized routes for contamination:
- migration of skin organisms near insertion site
- direct contamination of catheter or hub by contact with hands or other devices or fluids
- less commonly, catheters may be contaminated from another source of infection within the body
- rarely, contamination of infusate
CLABSI Risk Factors
- Multiple catheters and/or lumens
- Emergency insertion
- Prolonged duration of need for line
- Prolonged hospital stay prior to insertion
- Excessive manipulation of catheter line
- Neutropenia
- Prematurity
- Total parenteral nutrition
Why is CLABSI Prevention Important?
- CLABSI contributes to extended hospital stay with increased health care costs and risk of mortality (CDC, 2015)
- Mortality for CLABSI is among the highest of the HAI (Joint Commission, 2012)
- Evidence-based practice changes have been shown to reduce the rate of CLABSI (Joint Commission, 2012)
How is CLABSI Prevented?
Evidence-based best practices (CDC, 2011):
- Staff education: All health care providers who insert and/or maintain I.V. catheters must be trained in appropriate catheter use and infection prevention
- Appropriate selection of catheter and site
- Sterile technique with insertion and ongoing care
- Hand hygiene: before touching patient, before procedure, after touching patient, after touching patient’s surroundings
- Skin antisepsis
- Hub and access port disinfection
Supplemental Strategies
- Chlorhexidine bathing
- Antimicrobial-impregnated catheters
- Chlorhexidine-impregnated dressings
References & Resources
