THE PREVELANCE OF INFECTION About half of all U.S.

ICU patients have central venous catheters, The mortality associated with these infections is approximately 18% or 14,000 deaths per year CRBSIs prolong hospitalization 7 days on average and cost between $3,700 and $29,000 per infection The Institute for Healthcare has developed a Central Line Bundle consisting of five interventions which have been shown to decrease the incidence of these infections
INTERVENTIONS

4. Optimal catheter site selection

Avoid femoral site when possible!

5. Daily review of the line 1. Hand hygiene

Before insertion and all dressing changes

With prompt removal of unnecessary lines

OUTCOMES Moderate compliance is not enough to lower CLABSI rates. Only when an ICU has a bundle policy, monitored compliance with it, and had 95% or greater compliance did CLABSI rates decrease.

2. Maximal barrier precautions

Insertion: gloves, cap, gown, mask Dressing change: gloves & mask

3. Chlorhexidine skin antisepsis

Prepare clean skin before central venous catheter insertion and during dressing changes. Make sure it is allowed time to dry on the skin!

If an average ICU were to comply with at least one component of the bundle 100% of the time they would experience an estimated 38% decrease in its CLABSI rate