The Effect of an Education Program on the Incidence of Catheter-Associated Bloodstream Infection in a Medical Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

PURPOSE: Primary blood stream infections resulting from central venous catheter placement are a common cause of excess morbidity, mortality, and increased medical care costs in the intensive care unit. Several recent studies have shown that education programs directed towards health care workers can significantly decrease the incidence of catheter-associated bloodstream infections. Accordingly, our study examines the ability of an education program directed towards nurses and physicians in a medical intensive care unit to decrease the rate of catheter-associated bloodstream infection in a teaching hospital.