The neonatal central line-associated bloodstream infection (NCLABSI) project progressed towards the achievement of its primary objective: to reduce catheter associated blood stream infections in NICUs nationally. A second objective of the NCLABSI effort was the establishment of State teams with the capacity and capability to continue quality improvement and patient safety efforts by leveraging existing State neonatal networks, and identifying a State physician to partner with State hospital associations and other State stakeholders in perinatal care. These State teams worked together to reduce neonatal infections in their State, and have developed State perinatal collaboratives capable of performing future quality improvement projects.
The NCLABSI initiative has to date demonstrated remarkable results. NCLABSI has currently evaluated insertion practice for 17,212 central lines and 127,578 daily maintenance activities have been logged. It is our suspicion that the regular reporting of maintenance observations not only provides unique insights into maintenance practice, but it also serves as a tool to reinforce best maintenance practices. In effect, the maintenance bundle has come to serve the same function as the insertion checklist that is recommended best practice for the insertion of any central line.
Through the course of the study, an estimated 131 infections were prevented which translates to an estimated 14-41 deaths prevented and $2,201,776 in excess costs averted.
Approximately $906,000 was invested in the national NCLABSI project resulting in infections prevented and deaths avoided. With over $2.2 million in excess costs averted, the return on investment is over 143 percent to date.