Abstract
Central line-associated blood stream infections (CLABSI) are health care associated infections (HAI) that are serious but preventable adverse events. Implementation of care bundles, quality improvement projects, and education have been successful in decreasing rates of CLABSI in all intensive care units (ICU).|Purpose: The purpose of this project was to compare the rate of central line associated blood stream infection (CLABSI) in a Midwestern Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) pre- and post-implementation of sterile tubing change.|Methods: A descriptive retrospective non-experimental study design was used to report CLABSI rates of a Midwestern NICU before and after implementation of a care bundle. Data was collected by retrospective chart review of NICU patients with birth weights less than 1500 grams. Results were obtained quarterly, from the first quarter of 2007 to the fourth quarter of 2012. CLABSI rates were compared over this six-year period.|Results: The rate of CLABSI in this NICU decreased from 6.0 bloodstream infections per 1000 central line days in 2007 to 0.8 bloodstream infections per 1000 central line days in 2012.|Conclusions: The decrease was in response to care bundle components implemented in 2010 and 2011 including sterile tubing change. The results have shown the effectiveness of a care bundle including sterile tubing change, in decreasing CLABSI in this NICU.