Here are 10 articles from Becker's Infection Control & Clinical Quality on central line-associated bloodstream infections and blood clots that caught the attention of readers in 2015.
1. 6 management practices that correlate with preventing CLABSIs
Leveraging effective management practices may have a more significant impact on preventing CLABSIs than previously realized, according to a study published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology.
2. While CLABSI rates fall, other HAIs persist
The CDC's annual "National and State Healthcare-associated Infection Progress Report" revealed hospitals in the U.S. made striking progress in reducing certain types of infections like CLABSIs, but still have room for improvement on other types of HAIs.
3. 51 statistics on state CLABSI rates
This story is a list of hospitals' standardized infection ratios — observed to expected infection rates — for CLABSIs for the 50 states and Washington D.C.
4. 10 things for CFOs to know about CLABSIs
CLABSIs are one of the most costly HAIs, so reducing these conditions should be a top focus for hospital CFOs. This story highlights 10 things CFOs should know about CLABSIs.
5. Leapfrog tracks progress in pressure ulcers, injuries, CAUTIs & CLABSIs: 7 takeaways
The 2014 Leapfrog Hospital Survey revealed hospitals have made progress in reducing pressure ulcers, injuries, catheter-associated urinary tract infections and CLABSIs, but there is still a great deal of variation between hospitals in these rates.
6. Study examines link between CLABSIs and readmissions: 3 findings
Similar to sepsis, Clostridium difficile and surgical site infections, CLABSIs are frequently linked to readmissions, according to research published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology.
7. Placing catheters under collarbone reduces bloodstream infections, study finds
Three anatomical sites are commonly used to insert central venous catheters — under the collarbone, in the neck and in the groin — but one site has been linked with lower rates of bloodstream infections in a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
8. Patient safety tool: Video, handout on blood clot prevention
The Johns Hopkins Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety and Quality posted a video and handout aimed at helping patients better engage in preventing blood clots.
9. IHI infection prevention bundle reduces CLABSIs in the ICU: 3 study findings
Implementing the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's infection prevention and control measures led to a sustained decrease in CLABSIs in an intensive care unit and step-down unit, a published study found.
10. Peripherally inserted central catheters come with risk of lower-limb blood clots
A study published in The American Journal of Medicine found peripherally inserted central catheters carry with them a potential complication of deep vein thrombosis in not only upper extremities, but lower extremities as well.