Central Line Associated Blood Stream Infection Reduction at an Academic Community Hospital During the COVID-19 Pandemic to Achieve Patient Safety

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many institutions saw an overall increase in central line associated blood stream infection (CLABSI) events. CLABSI events can be prevented by decreasing central line utilization, improving practices during central line insertion and maintenance phases, and daily surveillance for necessity. A belief that zero harm to patients is possible and development of a supportive organizational culture with visible leadership were key to reducing CLABSI events and creating long-lasting change, even during the pandemic.

Decreasing Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI) at a community academic medical center using a multidisciplinary team employing a multi-pronged approach during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the midst of the COVID - 19 pandemic, a multidisciplinary team implemented evidence-based strategies to eliminate catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI), as defined by the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) surveillance definition for those units included in the NHSN standardized infection ratio. The team evaluated indwelling urinary catheters daily for indication, implemented a urinary catheter order set, established a urinary catheter insertion checklist, and promoted use of external urinary diversion devices. The facility NHSN standardized infection ratio for CAUTI was 0.37 in 2019, 0.23 in 2020, and 0.00 in 2021. A collaborative approach decreasing hospital acquired infections may be effective even in a climate of increased acuity, increased length of stay, and staffing challenges.