Reduction of Central-Line–Associated Bloodstream Infections in a Spinal Cord Injury Unit

Abstract

Background: Central-line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are a complication of indwelling central venous catheters, which increase morbidity, mortality, and cost to patients. Objective: Due to increased rates in a spinal cord injury unit (SCIU), a performance improvement project was started to reduce CLABSI in the patient population. Methods: To reduce the incidence of CLABSI, a prevention bundle was adopted, and a peer-surveillance tool was developed to monitor compliance with the bundle. Staff were trained to monitor their peers and submit weekly surveillance. Audits were conducted by the clinical nurse leader with accuracy feedback. Bundle peer-surveillance was implemented in February of 2018 with data being fed back to leadership, peer monitors, and stakeholders. Gaps in compliance were addressed with peer-to-peer education, changes in documentation requirements, and meetings to improve communication and reduce line days. In addition, the use of an antiseptic-impregnated disc for vascular accesses was implemented for dressing changes. Further quality improvement cycles during the first 2 quarters of fiscal year 2019 included service-wide education reinforcement, identification in variance of practice, and reporting to staff and stakeholders. Results: CLABSI bundle compliance increased from 67% to 98% between February and October 2018. The weekly audit reporting accuracy improved from 33% to 100% during the same period. Bundle compliance was sustained through the fourth quarter of 2019 at 98%, and audit accuracy was 99%. The initial CLABSI rates the quarter prior to the intervention were 6.10 infections per 1,000 line days for 1 of the 3 SCIUs and 2.68 infections per 1,000 line days for the service overall. After the action plan was initiated, no CLABSIs occurred for the next 3 quarters in all SCIUs despite unchanged use of central lines (5,726 line days in 2018). The improvement was sustained, and the line days decreased slightly for 2019, with a fiscal year rate of 0.61 per 1,000 line days (ie, 3 CLABSIs in 4,927 central-line days). Conclusions: The incidence of CLABSI in the SCIU was reduced by an intensive surveillance intervention to perform accurate peer monitoring of bundle compliance with weekly feedback, communication, and education strategies, improvement of the documentation, and the use of antiseptic-impregnated discs for dressings. Despite the complexity of the patient population requiring long-term central lines, the CLABSI rate was greatly impacted by evidence-based interventions coupled with reinforcement of adherence to the bundle.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None