Reduction of Catheter-associated Bloodstream Infections in Pediatric Patients: Experimentation and Reality

Objective: Few data exist on successes at reducing pediatric catheter-associated bloodstream infections (CA-BSI). The objective was to eradicate CA-BSI with a multifaceted pediatric-relevant intervention proven effective in adult patients.

Design: Prospective cohort of pediatric intensive care (PICU) patients with historical controls.

Setting: Multidisciplinary PICU.

Patients/participants: PICU patients with intervention targeting PICU providers.

Interventions: Multifaceted intervention involving preintervention staff surveys, provider educational program, creation of central catheter procedure cart, guideline-supported central catheter insertion checklist, nursing staff empowerment to stop procedures that breached guidelines, and real-time data feedback to PICU leadership.

Measurements And Main Results: We measured rate of CA-BSI per 1000 catheter days from August 2001 through September 2006. Reliable use of evidence-based best practices for insertion of central catheters in our PICU was associated with a statistically and clinically significant decrease in our CA-BSI rate for 24 months postintervention (p < .05). During a portion of this postintervention period, we experienced a dramatic increase in our CA-BSI rate that was ultimately found to be due to the introduction of a new positive displacement mechanical valve intravenous port in April 2004. After removal of this positive displacement mechanical valve, our CA-BSI rate dropped from 5.2 +/- 4.5 CA-BSI per 1000 central catheter days to a rate of 3.0 +/- 1.9 CA-BSI per 1000 central catheter days. Chart review of postintervention CA-BSI cases revealed that these patients acquired CA-BSI weeks after both PICU admission and after insertion of the most recent central catheter.

Conclusions: Our data show that improving practices for insertion of central catheters leads to a reduction of CA-BSI among pediatric patients but not elimination of CA-BSI. More research is needed to identify best practices for maintenance of central catheters for children. In addition, our experience shows that even despite good interventions to control CA-BSI, institutions must remain vigilant to factors such as new technology with apparent advantages but short track records of use.