A central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) is a serious infection that occurs when germs (usually bacteria or viruses) enter the bloodstream through a central line. Costs associated with CLABSIs can include:
- Increase in mortality rate
- Patient safety
- Patient satisfaction
- Hospital reputation
- Longer hospital stays
Many hospitals struggle with hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), but CLABSIs are the most costly of all HAIs. Furthermore, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) pay for performance programs penalize or reward hospitals according to the hospital’s HAI rates. Many healthcare agencies provide evidence-based CLABSI-reducing guidelines and toolkits for hospital use. However, tools must be used consistently and correctly for hospitals to successfully reduce CLABSIs. Crowe provides the expertise of clinical risk specialists to assist hospitals in reaching their objective to deliver safe patient care through standardized infection surveillance and evidence-based prevention practices that can help decrease CLABSI rates.
