Central Line Associated Blood Stream Infections and Effectiveness of Care Bundle Approach: A Prospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Introduction: Insertion and maintenance of Central Venous Catheters (CVC) are integral components for the supportive care of critically ill neonates. Their use is often associated with the unavoidable risk of acquiring Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI) like Central Line Associated Blood Stream Infections (CLABSI) especially in resource limited public sector Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU). Adopting a care bundle approach to decrease CLABSI rates in such NICUs still remains a challenge. Aim: To determine the baseline CLABSI rate, identify the risk factors associated with it and also to determine the effectiveness of care bundle approach in decreasing CLABSI. Materials and Methods: An analytical prospective cohort study was conducted in Cheluvamba Hospital, attached to Mysore Medical College and Research Institute, Mysuru, Karnataka, India, from June 2018 to June 2020. In the preintervention phase (June 2018 to May 2019), the data of 307 neonates in whom Central Line (CL) was inserted were analysed to determine the baseline CLABSI rate and risk factors. CLABSI bundle involves a group of evidence-based practices which when implemented reliably and consistently have shown to significantly reduce CLABSI rates. CLABSI bundle was implemented in June 2019 and in the postintervention phase (July 2019 to June 2020), the data of 283 neonates were analysed and compared to those in the preintervention group in order to assess the effectiveness of the care bundle approach. Chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables whereas a two sample t-test was used to compare continuous variables. Results: A total of 41 CLABSI episodes were documented in the preintervention phase (Group 1) as compared to 12 in the postintervention phase (Group 2). Mean birth weight and gestational age was significantly lower in neonates with CLABSI as compared to neonates without CLABSI in both the groups. The incidence of CLABSI was significantly higher in neonates with a catheter dwell time of more than eight days and in those who received Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN). Implementation of the CLABSI bundle resulted in the reduction of the baseline CLABSI rate from 16.25 to 8.3/1000 CL days; a significant reduction in the catheter dwell time and duration of NICU stay was also noted in group 2. Duration of NICU stay and death rate among neonates who developed CLABSI did not differ significantly between both the groups. Conclusion: Despite incorporating the care bundle approach, CLABSI rate remained to be high. Very preterm neonates with birth weight of <1500 grams and NICU stay of more than 25 days were more likely to develop CLABSI. Significant reduction in CLABSI rates can be achieved with widespread implementation of the CLABSI bundle in resource limited NICUs across India.