CATHETER-RELATED BLOODSTREAM
INFECTIONS
Central line–associated bloodstream infections are one of
the leading causes of health care–associated infections.
Fortunately, the rate of catheter-related bloodstream
infections (CRBSI) in the United States has decreased from
43,000 in 2001 down to 18,000 in 2009.186 This reduction
represents a 58% decrease during this 9-year period.
Along with a reduction in morbidity and mortality, this
decrease also resulted in substantial cost savings, since
each CRBSI is estimated to increase health care costs by
$16,550. The recognition that many CRBSIs are preventable
with the use of bundled clinical practice techniques
is growing. In fact, the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare
Services no longer reimburses hospitals for excess costs
associated with CRBSI,187 and many states now require
public reporting of hospital-specific CRBSI rates.188