Even after central venous pressure monitoring has lost its relevance in critical care practice, central venous lines continue to be the inevitable accesses of facilitating care to critically ill patients. Consequently, central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) has become the much avoidable evil in the intensive care units (ICUs) all over the world. The ICUs in our country are no exception to this troublesome complication. The CLABSI is the term used for surveillance purposes, and central line-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) is the term used for clinical purpose.1 The CLABSI has added significantly to the cost and outcome burden in critical care, irrespective of the etiology of the critical sickness. India spends about 4.7% of gross domestic product on health, with one-fourth (1.15%) of it in public sector and the rest in private sector (3.55%).2 The commendable contribution of critical care services in improving the all-round outcomes of the otherwise poor prognostic status of critically ill patients is being eroded due to the various healthcare- associated infections, especially the CLABSI.
Reference:Gopal, P.B. (2020) The Clasp of CLABSI. Indian Journal of Critical Care Medicine. 24(1), p.3-5. doi: 10.5005/jp-journals-10071-23335.