Central Catheter-associated Bloodstream Infections Research Articles

The challenge of treating superbugs.

Infections are a major cause of mortality in critically ill patients. It has been estimated that more than 100,000 health care-associated infections occur annually in intensive care units (ICUs) in the United States.[1] This includes 50,000 cases of ventilator-associated pneumonia, 35,000 cases of catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and more than 15,000 cases of central catheter-associated primary bloodstream infection annually.[1] In many ICUs, bacteria causing health care-associated infections are typically resistant to multiple antibiotics. In some situations, these bacteria are susceptible to three or fewer antibiotics (extensively drug resistant—XDR) and occasionally to all antibiotics (pan drug resistant—PDR).[2] Thus, these might be truly termed as “superbugs.”

Association of timing of tracheostomy on clinical outcomes in PICU patients.

Tracheostomy is a common procedure in the ICU when prolonged mechanical ventilation is expected. Although adult data show morbidity and mortality benefits over translaryngeal intubation, there is no consensus on optimal timing. In the pediatric population, there is sparse data regarding morbidities associated with duration of ventilation prior to tracheostomy. Our objective was to associate timing of tracheostomy with clinical outcomes in PICU patients. This is a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing tracheostomy. Patient factors and duration of ventilation prior to tracheostomy were collected on each patient. Morbidities such as ventilator-associated pneumonia, central catheter-associated bloodstream infection, and cardiopulmonary arrests were examined both pre- and posttracheostomy. ICU and total hospital length of stay as well as mortality were recorded. For data analysis regarding tracheostomy timing, patients were stratified into early and late groups using a cutoff of 14 days. The PICUs and cardiac ICUs in a quaternary-care children's hospital. All patients undergoing tracheostomy over a 3-year period. Seventy-three patients were analyzed with a median of 22 days of ventilation prior to tracheostomy. Patient factors associated with longer pretracheostomy ventilation included congenital heart disease and vasoactive drug use. Clinical events associated with longer pretracheostomy ventilation included bloodstream infection, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and cardiac arrest. Age, congenital heart disease, vasoactive drug use, bloodstream infection, and ventilator-associated pneumonia each independently increased pretracheostomy ventilator days. Median ICU length of stay after tracheostomy was 18 days. For each pretracheostomy ventilator day, ICU length of stay increased by 0.5 days and hospital length of stay increased by 1.9 days. For patients undergoing early tracheostomy, ICU and total hospital lengths of stay were 4 days and 4 weeks shorter, respectively. Analysis of our results suggests that a longer duration of ventilation prior to tracheostomy is associated with increased ICU morbidities and length of stay. Early tracheostomy may have significant benefits without adversely affecting mortality.

Reducing blood testing in pediatric patients after heart surgery: a quality improvement project.

To safely optimize blood testing and costs for pediatric cardiac surgical patients without adversely impacting patient outcomes. This is a quality improvement cohort project with pre- and postintervention groups. University-affiliated pediatric cardiac ICU in a tertiary care children's hospital. All patients were surgical patients for whom Risk Adjustment for Congenital Heart Surgery categories allowed for stratification by complexity. The preintervention group was treated in 2010 and the postintervention group in 2011. Laboratory ordering processes were analyzed, and practice changed to limit standing blood test orders and requires individualized ordering. Three hundred nineteen patients were studied in 2010 and 345 in 2011. Groups were similar in median age, weight, length of stay (ICU length of stay), and Risk Adjustment for Congenital Heart Surgery category. There was a reduction in the total blood tests per patient (24 vs 38; p < 0.0001) and length of stay adjusted tests per patient-day (10.4 vs 14.4; p = 0.0001) in the postintervention group. The largest test reductions were blood gases and single electrolytes. Adverse outcomes, such as extubation failure (6.4% vs 5.6%), central catheter-associated bloodstream infection (2.2 vs 1.5), and hospital mortality (0.6% vs 0.6%), were not significantly different between the groups. Cost analysis demonstrated an overall laboratory cost savings of 32%. In addition, the volume of packed RBC transfusions was also significantly decreased in the postintervention group among the most complex patients (Risk Adjustment for Congenital Heart Surgery, 6). Blood testing rates were safely decreased in postoperative pediatric cardiac patients by changing laboratory ordering practices. In addition, packed RBC transfusion was decreased among the most complex patients.

Multistate Point-Prevalence Survey of Health Care–Associated Infections

BackgroundCurrently, no single U.S. surveillance system can provide estimates of the burden of all types of health care–associated infections across acute care patient populations. We conducted a prevalence survey in 10 geographically diverse states to determine the prevalence of health care–associated infections in acute care hospitals and generate updated estimates of the national burden of such infections.MethodsWe defined health care–associated infections with the use of National Healthcare Safety Network criteria. One-day surveys of randomly selected inpatients were performed in participating hospitals. Hospital personnel collected demographic and limited clinical data. Trained data collectors reviewed medical records retrospectively to identify health care–associated infections active at the time of the survey. Survey data and 2010 Nationwide Inpatient Sample data, stratified according to patient age and length of hospital stay, were used to estimate the total numbers of health care–associated infections and of inpatients with such infections in U.S. acute care hospitals in 2011.ResultsSurveys were conducted in 183 hospitals. Of 11,282 patients, 452 had 1 or more health care–associated infections (4.0%; 95% confidence interval, 3.7 to 4.4). Of 504 such infections, the most common types were pneumonia (21.8%), surgical-site infections (21.8%), and gastrointestinal infections (17.1%). Clostridium difficile was the most commonly reported pathogen (causing 12.1% of health care–associated infections). Device-associated infections (i.e., central-catheter–associated bloodstream infection, catheter-associated urinary tract infection, and ventilator-associated pneumonia), which have traditionally been the focus of programs to prevent health care–associated infections, accounted for 25.6% of such infections. We estimated that there were 648,000 patients with 721,800 health care–associated infections in U.S. acute care hospitals in 2011.ConclusionsResults of this multistate prevalence survey of health care–associated infections indicate that public health surveillance and prevention activities should continue to address C. difficile infections. As device- and procedure-associated infections decrease, consideration should be given to expanding surveillance and prevention activities to include other health care–associated infections.

Surveillance of Device-Associated Infection Rates and Mortality in 3 Greek Intensive Care Units

Several studies suggest that device-associated, health care-associated infections (DA-HAIs) affect the quality of care in intensive care units, increasing patients' morbidity and mortality and the costs of patient care. To assess the DA-HAIs rates, microbiological profile, antimicrobial resistance, and crude excess mortality in 3 intensive care units in Athens, Greece. A prospective cohort, active DA-HAI surveillance study was conducted in 3 Greek intensive care units from July 2009 to June 2010. The rates of mechanical ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), central catheter-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI), and catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) were calculated along with microbiological profile, antimicrobial resistance, and crude excess mortality. During 6004 days in intensive care, 152 of 294 patients acquired 205 DA-HAIs, an overall rate of 51.7% of patients or 34.1 DA-HAIs per 1000 days (95% CI, 29.3-38.6). The VAP rate was 20 (95% CI, 16.3-23.7) per 1000 ventilator-days, the CLABSI rate was 11.8 (95% CI: 9.2-14.8) per 1000 catheter-days, and the CAUTI rate was 4.2 (95% CI, 2.5-5.9) per 1000 catheter-days. The most frequently isolated pathogen was Acinetobacter baumannii among patients with CLABSI (37.8%) and Candida species among patients with CAUTI (66.7%). Excess mortality was 20.3% for VAP and CLABSI and 32.2% for carbapenem-resistant A baumannii CLABSI. High rates of DA-HAIs, device utilization, and antimicrobial resistance emphasize the need for antimicrobial stewardship, the establishment of an active surveillance program of DA-HAIs, and the implementation of evidence-based preventive strategies.

Implementation of Different Interventions to Reduce Central-Catheter Associated Blood Stream Infection (CRBSI) Rates in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU): A 4-Year Surveillance

Implementation of Different Interventions to Reduce Central-Catheter Associated Blood Stream Infection (CRBSI) Rates in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU): A 4-Year Surveillance

Effectiveness of stepwise interventions targeted to decrease central catheter-associated bloodstream infections*

Determine the impact of three stepwise interventions on the rate of central catheter-associated bloodstream infections. Quasi-experimental study. Three surgical intensive care units (general surgery, trauma, and neurosurgery) at a 1500-bed county teaching hospital in the Miami metro area. All consecutive central catheter-associated bloodstream infection cases as determined by the Infection Control Department. Three interventions aimed at catheter maintenance were implemented at different times in the units: chlorhexidine "scrub-the-hub," chlorhexidine daily baths, and daily nursing rounds aimed at assuring compliance with an intensive care unit goal-oriented checklist. The primary outcome was the monthly intensive care unit rate of central catheter-associated bloodstream infections (infections per 1000 central catheter days). Over 33 months of follow-up (July 2008 to March 2011), we found decreased rates in each of the three intensive care units evaluated during the interventions, especially after implementation of chlorhexidine daily baths. Rates in unit A decreased from a rate of 8.6 to 0.5, unit B from 6.9 to 1.6, and unit C from 7.8 to 0.6. Secondary bloodstream infection rates remained unchanged throughout the observation period in units A and B; however, unit C had a decrease in its rates over time. We report the progressive reduction of central catheter-associated bloodstream infection rates after the stepwise implementation of chlorhexidine "scrub-the-hub" and daily baths in surgical intensive care units, suggesting effectiveness of these interventions.

The Journey to Zero Central Catheter–Associated Bloodstream Infections: Culture Change in an Intensive Care Unit

A process change with the goal of decreasing and ultimately eliminating bloodstream infections associated with central catheters in critical care patients was implemented at Riverside Methodist Hospital. This process of implementation resulted in a culture change in the hospital's medical surgical intensive care unit. Keys to success included a multidisciplinary team approach, support from persons with a stake in the process, and provision of continuous feedback. The lessons learned in this journey at Riverside Methodist Hospital can help caregivers at other hospitals decrease the occurrence of these life-threatening infections.

Effects of erythropoietin on improving neurobehavioral premature infants with brain damage

Objective To analyze the incidence,bacterial spectrum and clinical features of peripherally inserted central catheter-associated bloodstream infection in neonates, and to investigate the effect of infection control strategies on the occurrence of infection,by which it is helpful in choosing effective strategies for clinical practice. Methods Clinical data, results of blood culture and culture of the catheter tip were collected from 72 infants (66 of them were very low birth weight) admitted to NICU from July, 2007 to August, 2008. The incidence of PICC-associated bloodstream infection (PICC-BSI) in the old hospital was compared with that of the new hospital. Results Bacterial colonization was not found. PICC-BSI was found in 15 cases (18. 1%), including 11 cases (13.2%) with definite sepsis and 4 cases (4. 8 %) with clinical sepsis.The incidence of PICC-BSI was 10. 2/1 000 PICC-days as a whole,with 16. 1/1 000 PICC-days in the old hospital and,7. 7/1 000 PICC-days in the new hospital respectively. Eleven organisms were isolated including Coagulase negative staphylococcus (CoNS) (4 strains), Acinetobacter baumannii (3 strains), Klebsiella pneumonia (2 strains), Enterococcus(1 strain), and Candida parapsilosis (1 strain). The incidence of PICC-BSI in the new hospital was lower compared with that of the old hospital. Conclusion Most of the isolated organisms of PICC-BSI are opportunistic and multi-drug resistant pathogen. PICC-BSI can be reduced by the effective infection control strategies in NICU. Key words: Infant,neonate; Peripherally inserted central catheter; Bacteremia; Infection

Using evidence, rigorous measurement, and collaboration to eliminate central catheter-associated bloodstream infections

Healthcare-associated infections are common, costly, and often lethal. Although there is growing pressure to reduce these infections, one project thus far has unprecedented collaboration among many groups at every level of health care. After this project produced a 66% reduction in central catheter-associated bloodstream infections and a median central catheter-associated bloodstream infection rate of zero across >100 intensive care units in Michigan, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality awarded a grant to spread this project to ten additional states. A program, called On the CUSP: Stop BSI, was formulated from the Michigan project, and additional funding from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and private philanthropy has positioned the program for implementation state by state across the United States. Furthermore, the program is being implemented throughout Spain and England and is undergoing pilot testing in several hospitals in Peru. The model in this program balances the tension between being scientifically rigorous and feasible. The three main components of the model include translating evidence into practice at the bedside to prevent central catheter-associated bloodstream infections, improving culture and teamwork, and having a data collection system to monitor central catheter-associated bloodstream infections and other variables. If successful, this program will be the first national quality improvement program in the United States with quantifiable and measurable goals.

Developing information technology for infection prevention surveillance

The potential to automate at least part of the surveillance process for health care-associated infections was seen as soon as hospitals began to implement computer systems. Progress toward automated surveillance has been ongoing for the last several decades. But as more information becomes available electronically in the healthcare setting, the promise of electronic surveillance for healthcare-associated infections has become closer to reality. Although true fully automated surveillance is not here yet, significant progress is being made at a number of centers for electronic surveillance of central catheter-associated bloodstream infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and other healthcare-associated infections. We review the progress that has been made in this area and issues that need to be addressed as surveillance systems are implemented, as well as promising areas for future development.

Nosocomial infections in medical-surgical intensive care units in Argentina: Attributable mortality and length of stay

Background: Nosocomial infections are an important public health problem in many developing countries, particularly in the intensive care unit (ICU). Limited data exists on the incidence and burden of nosocomial infection in the ICU in Argentina. Methods: We performed baseline prospective nosocomial infection surveillance of all patients for 6 months in 3 medical-surgical ICUs (MS-ICUs) in Argentina (2 months in each ICU). Nosocomial infections were identifed using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance definitions. Overall and site-specific nosocomial infection rates, attributable mortality, and excess length of hospital stay were calculated. Results: The overall nosocomial infection rate was 27% and 90 per 1000 patient-days. The most common site of infection was catheter-related bloodstream infection (32%), followed by ventilator-associated pneumonia (25%), and catheter-associated urinary tract infection (23%). The rate of central catheter-associated bloodstream infection in the MS-ICU was 44.61 per 1000 device-days, with an atttributable mortality of 25%, and 12 attributable extra days of hospital stay. The urinary catheter-associated urinary tract infection rate in the MS-ICU was 22.55 per 1000 urinary catheter-days, with an attributable mortality of 5%, and 5 excess extra days of hospital stay. The ventilator-associated pneumonia rate in the MS-ICU was 50.87 per 1000 ventilator-days with an attributable mortality of 35%, and 10 attributable extra days of hospitalization. Conclusion: Our study finds high rates of nosocomial infections in ICUs in Argentina, associated with a considerable attributable mortality and excess length of stay. Ongoing targeted surveillance and implementation of infection control strategies is necessary to control this growing problem. (Am J Infect Control 2003;31:291-5.)

Cost-effective infection control success story: a case presentation.

In a surgical intensive care unit, the 1996-1997 incidence of central catheter-associated bloodstream infections exceeded that of hospitals participating in the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System. Interventions were implemented, and a cost-benefit analysis was done that led to hiring a vascular catheter care nurse. Subsequent outcome data demonstrated a substantial reduction in central catheter-associated bloodstream infections.