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"Most US hospitals continue to use evidence-based methods to prevent CLABSI as recommended by leading organizations. Opportunities to focus on socio-adaptive interventions such as feedback of infection rates, use of appropriateness criteria for CVC placement, and improving the "culture of pan-culturing" remain" Pisney et al (2024).

CLABSI prevention survey

Abstract:

Objective: To determine prevalence of technical and behavioral interventions aimed at preventing central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) following the COVID19 pandemic.

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Setting: US acute care hospitals.

Participants: Infection preventionists at participating hospitals.

Methods: Surveys were sent to infection preventionists from a national random sample of 881 US acute care hospitals. Questions covered use of technical interventions to prevent CLABSI (eg, alcohol-containing chlorhexidine gluconate [CHG] for skin antisepsis, use of coated catheters), socio-adaptive interventions (eg, feedback of CLABSI rates, use of appropriateness criteria), and leadership support for CLABSI prevention.

Results: Survey response rate was 47% (415/881). Technical interventions such as maximal sterile barriers (99%) or CHG-impregnated dressings (92%) were highly prevalent, but routine use of CHG bathing was less common (68% indicated regular use in intensive care unit [ICU] vs 18% in non-ICU settings). Although 97% of respondents indicated use of systems to monitor CLABSI, feedback to providers on CLABSI events was reported by 89%. Only 53% of respondents indicated regular use of tools to determine appropriateness of central venous catheters (CVC). Three-quarters of respondents indicated their hospital assessed CVC necessity daily, but only 23% reported strategies to reduce routine blood cultures. CLABSI prevention was extremely important to hospital leadership at 82% of responding hospitals.

Conclusions: Most US hospitals continue to use evidence-based methods to prevent CLABSI as recommended by leading organizations. Opportunities to focus on socio-adaptive interventions such as feedback of infection rates, use of appropriateness criteria for CVC placement, and improving the “culture of pan-culturing” remain.


Reference:

Pisney L, Camplese L, Greene MT, Saint S, Fowler KE, Chopra V. Practices to prevent central line-associated bloodstream infection: A 2021 survey of infection preventionists in US hospitals. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2024 Apr 24:1-5. doi: 10.1017/ice.2024.53. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38654493.

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