• Mary E Seddon, Catherine J Hocking, Pat Mead, and Catherine Simpson.
• Quality Improvement Unit, Counties-Manukau DHB, Private Bag 93311, Auckland, New Zealand. MZSeddon@middlemore.co.nz
• N. Z. Med. J. 2011 Jul 29;124(1339):9-21.

AimTo eliminate Central Line Associated Bacteraemia (CLAB) in the Critical Care Complex (CCC)-Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and High Dependency Unit (HDU)-Middlemore Hospital.MethodMultifaceted quality improvement programme that included: engagement with ICU leadership and education of ICU staff; the introduction of a CLAB prevention bundle of care through standardised checklists for central line insertion (December 2008) and line maintenance (July 2009); the development of a central line pack; and rapid, visual feedback of results.ResultsAbsolute numbers of CLAB in the CCC decreased from 14 in 2008, to 4 in 2009 and 1 in the first 6 months of 2010 (despite increase in bed census and a doubling of admissions). The CLAB rate per 1,000 line days decreased from 6.6 to 0.9. The days between CLAB increased from a median of 30 to >100 days, with zero CLAB for 5 of the last 6 months. Mortality for patients with CLAB was 37%, compared with mortality of 13% for all other ICU patients. The conservative cost savings were $200,000 in 2009 and $260,000 in 2010.ConclusionUsing an evidenced-based quality improvement approach, it is possible to significantly decrease Central Line Associated Bacteraemia in the Critical Care Complex. In doing so patient morbidity and mortality are reduced and money is saved for other healthcare needs.

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