Case Studies
Eliminating Central Line-Associated Blood Stream Infections in a Surgical Intensive Care Unit
The Institute for Healthcare Improvement estimates that 48 percent of intensive care unit patients have central venous lines. Attributable mortality from line-associated blood stream infections is between 4 percent and 20 percent, or between 800 and 4,000 deaths each year. Central line associated blood stream infections are a preventable problem. New York Hospital Queens determined that a decrease in CLABSIs in its surgical intensive care unit could be achieved by implementing a minimal-resource, yet comprehensive program. Adding to a baseline set of interventions developed in collaboration with other hospitals, New York Hospital Queens implemented additional strategies with the goal to further decrease the incidence of CLABSIs in the SICU.
The Institute for Healthcare Improvement estimates that 48 percent of intensive care unit patients have central venous lines. Attributable mortality from line-associated blood stream infections is between 4 percent and 20 percent, or between 800 and 4,000 deaths each year. Central line associated blood stream infections are a preventable problem. New York Hospital Queens determined that a decrease in CLABSIs in its surgical intensive care unit could be achieved by implementing a minimal-resource, yet comprehensive program. Adding to a baseline set of interventions developed in collaboration with other hospitals, New York Hospital Queens implemented additional strategies with the goal to further decrease the incidence of CLABSIs in the SICU.