Central-line associated bloodstream infections are not all created equal: CLABSIs in non-ICU settings carry significantly higher mortality than those in the intensive care unit, according to research published in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology.
To come to this finding, researchers tracked CLABSIs for one year at a 1,200 bed hospital center. They monitored 209 ICU beds and flagged patients moved to the ICU for a CLABSI contracted in a non-ICU setting.
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Of 136 patients and 156 CLABSIs:
- 57 patients were treated for hematological malignancy.
- The device utilization ratio — number of catheter days divided by number of patient days — was 0.27.
- 76 percent of CLABSIs occurred with a tunneled line.
- 21 percent of CLABSIs occurred with a peripherally inserted central catheter.
- Total mortality was 23 percent.
In addition, researchers noted CLABSI rates were significantly higher in non-ICU settings and were associated with significant mortality, with patients treated for HM having the highest mortality.
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