An Intervention to Decrease Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections in the ICU

Catheter-related bloodstream infections are associated with significant morbidity. In Michigan, a statewide initiative to reduce catheter-related bloodstream infections in intensive care units (ICUs) was implemented. This simple intervention included washing hands, using full-barrier precautions with central-line placement, cleaning the skin with chlorhexidine, avoiding the femoral site if possible, and removing unnecessary catheters. The median rate of infection per 1000 catheter-days decreased from 2.7 at baseline to 0 throughout all periods after implementation of the study intervention. In Michigan, a statewide initiative to reduce catheter-related bloodstream infections in ICUs was implemented. The median rate of infection per 1000 catheter-days decreased from 2.7 at baseline to 0 throughout all periods after implementation of the study intervention. Catheter-related bloodstream infections are common, costly, and potentially lethal. 1 , 2 Each year in the United States, central venous catheters may cause an estimated 80,000 catheter-related bloodstream infections and, as a result, up to 28,000 deaths among patients in intensive care units (ICUs). Given that the average cost of care for a patient with this infection is $45,000, 3 such infections could cost up to $2.3 billion annually. According to the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (NNIS) system of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the median rate of catheter-related bloodstream infection in ICUs of all types ranges from 1.8 to . . .