Comparison of facilities with and without additional medical fees for nutrition support team activity during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract Background This study aimed to clarify the effectiveness of nutrition support team (NST) facilities for preventing central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI). Methods We retrospectively analyzed the incidence of CLABSI as well as the presence or absence of additional medical fees for NST activity between 2019 and 2021, including the period before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Subsequently, we performed between-group comparisons of the CLABSI incidence. CLABSI rates were compared based on cumulative per 1000 catheter uses during the relevant period. Results Among 47 facilities that were registered for participation, there were 34 and 13 facilities with and without additional medical fees for NST activity (NST and non-NST groups, respectively). The CLABSI incidence rate was significantly lower in the NST group 0.96 [0.28–1.73] than in the non-NST group 1.25 [075–6.10] (p