The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that more than 30,000 central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) occur in the United States each year and that 1 in 4 patients who get a bloodstream infection from having a central line will die. To help healthcare facilities continuously improve processes to protect patients, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) has released a comprehensive update to the Guide to Preventing Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections, now available free for download.
Research indicates that the majority of CLABSIs are preventable, but their prevention represents a complex challenge for the infection prevention team, as well as the many stakeholders involved in those prevention activities. The new APIC Implementation Guide outlines practices that are core to CLABSI prevention efforts, demonstrates application through associated tools and resources, and provides information that augments existing evidence-based guidelines.
“CLABSIs are associated with the highest number of preventable deaths compared with other healthcare-associated infections,” said Lead Editor Linda Goss, MSN, APRN, NP-C, CIC, COHN-S. “Therefore, it is imperative for healthcare facilities to adopt best practices to prevent these infections, making this practical, hands-on implementation guide the perfect tool.”
This Implementation Guide is designed to provide basic prevention steps for any infection preventionist (IP), regardless of practice setting. The information provided will facilitate the learning and implementation of basic concepts and provide both the novice and experienced IP with the opportunity to objectively evaluate current practice within the framework of continuous improvement. Chapter topics include: Epidemiology and Pathogenesis, Surveillance, Adherence to the Central Line Bundle, Preventing Infections during Catheter Maintenance, and Preventing Infection during Long-Term Device Use.
The latest in the series of APIC Implementation Guides, the Guide to Preventing Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections was made possible by an unrestricted educational grant from BD, a long-time APIC Strategic Partner.
