PRACTICE PROBLEM

Octavia Henry

CLABSI is an infection that occurs when bacteria or other germs enter the bloodstream through a central line catheter. This type of infection can be serious and lead to complications, such as sepsis, organ failure, and even death.

The reason why I selected CLABSI as a practice problem is because it is a preventable hospital-acquired infection that is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. An estimated 30,100 CLABSIs occur each year in acute care hospitals in the United States (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022). It has been reported that the incidence of Clabsi is higher in critical care units, especially among patients who are immunocompromised, elderly, or have underlying medical conditions.

As a healthcare provider, it is important to address this problem and implement preventive measures to reduce the incidence of CLABSI in our practice setting. I believe that by working together with key leaders in our practice setting, we can develop and implement effective strategies to prevent Clabsi, improve patient safety, and enhance the quality of care.

According to the Minnesota Hospital Association (n.d.), central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are serious infections that can increase hospital stays, healthcare expenditures, and the risk of mortality. CLABSIs are among the deadliest forms of healthcare-associated illnesses with a mortality incidence of 12 to 25%. It has been estimated that the average cost of care for a patient with CLABSI is $45,000, which in turn costs the American healthcare system almost $2 billion annually. 

In 2020 there were 277 CLABSI reported in Alabama (Healthcare-Associated Infections in Alabama Annual Report 2020, n.d.) When I spoke to my key leader about choosing Clabsi she thought it was a good idea. She and I both felt that it was a good topic that is preventable and the healthcare field still has room for improvement regarding CLABSI.

Overall, I believe that addressing CLABSI in our practice setting is crucial for improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs. Through collaboration and evidence-based practices, we can make a significant impact on patient safety and quality of care.

 

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022).  Bloodstream infections [PDF].  https://www.cdc.gov/nhsn/pdfs/pscmanual/4psc_clabscurrent.pdfLinks to an external site.

Healthcare-Associated Infections in Alabama annual report 2020. (n.d.).  https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/hai/assets/hai_annual_report_2020.pdf#Links to an external site.

Minnesota Hospital Association. (n.d.). Central line-associated bloodstream infection.  https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/hai/assets/hai_annual_report_2020.pdf#:~:text=In%202020%2C%20277%20CLABSIs%20associated%20with%20231%2C422%20central,68%20Alabama%20hospitals%20that%20met%20the%20reporting%20criteria.Links to an external site.