Questions and Answers on Reported Central Line ICU Infection Rates

2010: Consumer Report of Hospital Reported Infections: Reported on Central Line ICU Infection Rates

Questions and Answers

How long has NYS been publically reporting Hospital Acquired Infections (HAI's)?

Hospitals began reporting HAIs to NYS in 2007. Reporting included CLABSI's occurring in all types of intensive care units (ICU's). CLABSI by ICU type began in 2008.

Have all hospitals reached zero (0) CLABSI in the ICU?

Since publically reporting hospital CLABSI rates BY ICU types many NYS acute care hospitals have successfully reached zero (0). The majority of the hospitals that had high 2008 CLABSI rates have reduced them significantly and some have reached zero in 2009.

What is the Department doing to get hospitals to eliminate CLABSI in their ICUs?

New York state audits all acute care hospitals annually and more often if rates are unacceptably high, to evaluate implementation of proven central line insertion prevention standards of practice. Hospitals are continuously monitored and provided with feedback on their CLABSI reduction efforts.

Do NYS hospitals use the "Pronovost- Central line insertion check-list?

95% of NYS acute care hospitals use the nationally recognized insertion bundle checklist provided by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI). This insertion checklist is comparable to the checklist developed by Dr. Pronovost. The IHI checklist is used by many hospitals throughout the US.

What is a hospital acquired infection (HAI)?

An HAI is an infection that occurs in a patient as a result of being in a healthcare setting after having medical or surgical treatments.

What is a Central Line device?

This is a tiny sterile tube that is placed into a large vein, usually in the neck, chest, arm or groin to give fluids and medications, to withdraw blood for tests, and to monitor a patient's condition.

What is a central line associated blood stream infection (CLABSI)

A central line associated blood stream infection (CLABSI) can occur when bacteria or other germs enter around or within a central line device and then pass into the blood.