Let’s continue our efforts to reduce central line-associated bloodstream infections.

When a tube is placed incorrectly in a large vein or not kept clean, it can become a way for germs to enter the body and cause deadly infections in the blood. As many as 200,000 of these central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) occur each year, resulting in approximately 25,000 preventable deaths. 

In recent years, as a result of a concerted effort to reduce infections of all kinds, Indiana hospitals have improved their CLABSI prevention efforts. According to the CDC’s Healthcare-associated Infections report, the occurrence of CLABSIs in Indiana hospitals is 39 percent lower than the national baseline. 

But Indiana hospitals are just getting started. By September 2018, each hospital participating in HRET's HIIN is striving to reduce CLABSIs by at least 40 percent or maintain a rate of zero for 12 months. 

If your hospital is part of HRET HIIN, you can continue to build on your successful CLABSI prevention efforts by working with subject matter experts to understand the clinical conditions that lead to CLABSI and engaging staff in CLABSI reduction efforts. 

»   Learn more about CLABSIs.