Central line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) in neonatal intensive care is associated with mortality, morbidity, increased length of stay and increased healthcare costs. Implementing a bundle of evidence-based interventions, continual audit and improvement and education and promotion of this led to a significant reduction in CLABSI rates and 157 consecutive CLABSI-free days.
Reducing central line-associated bloodstream infection rates
Initiative Type
Clinical Guideline
Status
Deliver
Added
Last updated
Summary
Key dates
Feb 2020
Feb 2020
Implementation sites
Mater Neonatal Critical Care Unit
Partnerships
Multidisciplinary NCCU team working together
Aim
To maintain CLABSI rates below recommended benchmark of 3 per 1,000 catheter days in the Mater Children's Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Benefits
- Large reduction in CLABSI, achieving the goal in the second year of the project
- Reducing infection reduces mortality, morbidity and healthcare costs
- Parents appreciated keeping their baby infection free
Background
Central venous line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) in neonatal intensive care is associated with mortality, morbidity, increased length of stay and increased healthcare costs.