|
A “Central Line”
or “Central Catheter” is a tube that is placed into a
patient’s large vein, usually in the neck, chest, arm or
groin. The catheter is often used to draw blood, or give
fluids and medications. It may be left in place for
several weeks. A bloodstream infection can occurs when
bacteria or other germs travel down a “central line” and
enter the blood.
An estimated
248,000 bloodstream infections occur in U.S. hospitals
each year 1. It is believed that a large proportion of
these are associated with the presence of a central
vascular catheter, though this is an area where more
study is needed.
For the purposes
of the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN), a
voluntary, secure, internet-based surveillance system
that integrates and expands legacy patient and
healthcare personnel safety surveillance systems managed
by the Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion (DHQP)
at CDC, such infections are termed central
line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI).
Bloodstream infections are usually serious infections
typically causing a prolongation of hospital stay, and
increased cost, and risk of mortality.
CLABSI can be
prevented through proper management of the central line.
These techniques are addressed in the CDC’s Healthcare
Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (CDC/HIPAC)
Guidelines for the Prevention of Intravascular
Catheter Related Infections. |
