What are Catheter Related Bloodstream Infections (CR_BSI)?
Catheter Related Bloodstream Infections (CR_BSI) are infections due to bacteria or fungi which invade the patient’s bloodstream after placement of an intravenous catheter into a large central blood vessel. Intravascular catheters are indispensable in modern-day medical practice, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs).
Why is this important?
Although such catheters provide necessary vascular access, their use puts patients at risk for local and systemic infectious complications. CR_BSI represent 14% of hospital acquired infections but are among the most potentially deadly infections.
How do we measure our performance?
- Definitions for CR_BSI are those used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Infections that are present on admission are excluded
- Infections are documented by an Epidemiology Clinician after a review of the medical record
- Rates are calculated per 1000 device days
- Catheter days are provided by each ICU
How are we doing at preventing bloodstream infections?
The chart below depicts CR_BSI in all critical care units at Hartford Hospital. Our rates are at best practice levels where we are approaching zero bloodstream infections on an increasingly frequent basis.
What efforts are in place to improve performance?
At Hartford Hospital we have implemented a multidisciplinary program based upon a bundle of preventive efforts which has become a national standard for prevention of CR_BSI.