Proven Reduction in CLABSI and Blood Culture Contamination
West Virginia University Health System
376 Beds

Recognizing that patients with central venous catheters (CVC) are at increased risk for central line-associated blood stream infections (CLABSI) and unnecessary treatment due to contaminated blood cultures often associated with improper care of central line hubs, West Virginia University Health System sought to decrease the rates of CLABSI and contaminated cultures by implementing CUROS port protectors and needleless neutral pressure connectors for all patients with CVCs on a 12-bed Blood and Marrow Transplant and 20-bed Oncology Units.

From January to July 2010 the practice of central line hub care transitioned from the use of traditional alcohol wipes to using Curos alcohol-impregnated port protectors. To accommodate the disinfection caps, the facility introduced new needleless, neutral pressure connectors. Using an observational method, WVUH evaluated compliance with Curos usage and assessed the impact of the intervention. The intervention period was compared to historical control period from January to December 2009.

The hospital realized impressive results. During the control period there were 2.9 infections/1000 central line days. After implementing Curos and the needleless connectors, infection rates dropped to 0.4 infections/1000 central line days (P=0.0318).

Likewise, the incidence of contaminated blood cultures fell from 2.5% (17/692) to 0.2% (1/470) (P= 0.002).

Overall, the hospital observed exceptionally high rates of nursing compliance with Curos disinfection method. Compliance averaged greater than 85 percent throughout the intervention period.

Extrapolating the costs of individual CLABSI and contaminated blood culture incidents, WVUH estimates that total cost avoidance achieved with this intervention was approximately $500,000.

“This intervention was easily introduced, with a high rate of compliance and significant cost reduction to our hospital.”

Michael A. Sweet, Pharm.D. BCPS