An article by investigators in St. Louis, Missouri provides national estimates of the number of CLABSIs among patients in ICUs, inpatient wards, and outpatient hemodialysis facilities in 2008 and 2009 and compares ICU estimates with 2001 data. In 2001, an estimated 43,000 CLABSIs occurred among patients hospitalized in ICUs in the United States. In 2009, the estimated number of ICU CLABSIs had decreased to 18,000. In 2009, an estimated 23,000 CLABSIs occurred among patients in inpatient wards, and in 2008, an estimated 37,000 CLABSIs occurred among patients receiving outpatient hemodialysis. In 2009 alone, an estimated 25,000 fewer CLABSIs occurred in US ICUs than in 2001, a 58% reduction. This represents up to 6,000 lives saved and $414 million in potential excess health care costs in 2009 and approximately $1.8 billion in cumulative excess health care costs since 2001.

The researchers concluded that although major reductions have occurred in the burden of CLABSIs in ICUs at the mandate of State and federal efforts, a substantial number of hospital infections occurring in non-ICU settings, especially in outpatient hemodialysis centers reveals and important area for expanded prevention efforts.  “To prevent CLABSIs in hemodialysis patients, efforts to reduce central line use for hemodialysis and improve the maintenance of central lines should be expanded,” wrote S.Y. Liang and colleagues, Washington University.

Citation: Update on Emerging Infections: News From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Annals of Emergency Medicine, 2011;58(5):447-450).

Source: Managed Care Weekly Digest, December 12, 2011