This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
CDC interventions contribute to long-term reductions in access-related BSIs
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
Outpatient dialysis facilities reported a 44% reduction in certain bloodstream infections up to 4 years after introducing CDC prevention interventions, according to data published in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology.
Prior data showed the CDC Core Interventions decreased bloodstream infections (BSI) and vascular access-related BSIs (ARBSIs) within 15 months of implementation, according to Priti R. Patel, MD, MPH, and Sarah H. Yi, PhD, both from the CDC’s Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, and colleagues.
Priti R. Patel
Sarah H. Yi
The researchers followed up with all 17 outpatient dialysis facilities that participated in the initial collaboration to investigate the long-term effects of the interventions for BSI prevention, which included:
- feedback and monthly surveillance of BSIs through the CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network;
- monthly observation of hand hygiene opportunities among the clinical staff;
- quarterly observations of catheter care;
- infection control training and yearly or biyearly performance evaluations;
- catheter reduction;
- use of alcohol-based chlorhexidine solutions for central line insertion and dressing changes;
- appropriate catheter hub disinfection each time a catheter is accessed or disconnected; and
- application of antibiotic or povidone-iodine ointment to catheter exit sites.
Immediately after the interventions were introduced, Patel and colleagues observed an overall 44% reduction (P = .005) in ARBSI rates and a 49% reduction (P = .002) in ARBSIs stratified by tunneled and nontunneled central venous catheters (CVC). The results were sustained for 48 months until the end of the observation period.
Based on the ARBSI baseline rate (1.03 infections per 100 patients), the researchers estimated that approximately 60% of expected ARBSIs were prevented among dialysis patients over the 48-month intervention period.
“This finding further supports the effectiveness of the interventions and the sustainability of the reduction even after intensive technical assistance from the CDC ended,” Patel and colleagues concluded. “These improvements can be maintained for multiple years after adoption.” – by Stephanie Viguers
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts