Our NICU Journey to Zero Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections: Special Patients Require Special Interventions

Abstract

Central Line Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI) is a constant threat to any patient with an indwelling central venous catheter, but particularly to fragile patients such as neonates and infants. The most significant challenge in the neonatal environment is the significant lack of well -documented, evidence-based practice specific to the care of a neonatal patient. The use of chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) solutions has been widely documented as best practice for skin antisepsis for central line insertion and maintenance in the adult population, but no CHG containing solutions have Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for use with patients under two months of age.