Effect of a Multidisciplinary Team Approach to Eradicate Central Line Associated Blood-Stream Infections (CLABSI)

Introduction: CLABSI remains a significant problem in the intensive care unit. Hypothesis: A multimodal approach for the insertion and care of CVC will prevent CLABSI. Methods: A Critical Care Operations Committee was formed to transform care in 8 intensive care units (ICU) in an academic medical center in 9/2004. One goal was to reduce CLABSI. Using evidence based medicine, a clinical practice guideline was developed that incorporated the use of maximum barrier precautions, chlorhexidine skin preparation, avoidance of the femoral insertion site, dedicated catheter cart, a check list, the tracking of high risk CVC, anti-septic or antimicrobial impregnated catheters, a recommendation to use ultrasound guidance when inserting CVC in the internal jugular vein, daily determination of the need for the CVC and treatment of CLABSI as a critical event.CLABSI were adjudicated by the hospital epidemiologist and CVC days were tracked. Rates of CLABSI were followed from 9/2004 through 7/2011. The Spearman correlation coefficient was used for statistical evaluation. A p Results: CLABSI rates (per 1000 catheter-days) declined dramatically from 2004 to 2011 (p Conclusions: A multimodal approach to CVC insertion and care reduces CLABSI by over 90%. Our ultimate goal is the complete eradication of CRBSI in our institution.