Preventing Bloodstream Infections Linked to Central Lines (Catheters)
When a patient is in the hospital he or she often needs to be given medicines or fluids or have blood. Sometimes this is done through a central line or catheter. A central line is a tube that is put into a large vein, usually in the neck, chest, arm or groin. The line may be left in place for several weeks. The risk of infection increases with the increased duration of time a central line is in place.
If bacteria or other germs get into a central line, they can enter the bloodstream and cause an infection. Signs of such an infection may include fevers and chills. Sometimes, the area around where the tube has been inserted into the vein becomes red or sore.
These types of infections are serious. They often can be treated successfully with antibiotics and removal of the central line.
At Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, many precautions are taken to prevent central line associated bloodstream infections, including:
- Choosing the best location for putting in a central line
- Properly cleaning the hands before putting in the central line
- Wearing a mask, cap, sterile gown and sterile gloves when putting in a central line
- Covering the patient with a sterile sheet
Properly cleaning the patient's skin before putting the line in - Properly cleaning the hands, wearing sterile gloves and cleaning the catheter opening before using the central line to give medicines or draw blood
- Carefully handling medicines and fluids that are given through the central line
- Properly cleaning the hands and wearing sterile gloves when changing the bandage that covers the area where the catheter enters the skin
- Removing the central line as soon as it is no longer needed
As part of its commitment to improving the quality of care given to patients at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, the rate of central line infections is monitored carefully. Central line-linked bloodstream infections are measured as the number of infections that occur for every day that a patient has a central line in place at the hospital.
The chart below shows the rate of central line-linked bloodstream infections at Cedars-Sinai between 2005 and 2008, when a hospitalwide project to reduce these infections was initiated.
This project is an ongoing collaborative program. It involves nurses and doctors. As a result of the program, the rate of central line infections has decreased by 50% each year.
A lower number is better than a higher one. 
