Recommendations
Table 2. Recommendations to Prevent CLABSI
Additional Approaches: can be considered for use in locations and/or hospital
patient populations when HAIs are not controlled after implementation of essential
practices
1. Use antiseptic- or antimicrobial-impregnated CVCs (H in adult patients; M in
pediatric patients).
2. Use antimicrobial lock therapy for long-term CVCs (H).
3. Use recombinant tissue plasminogen activating factor (rt-PA) once weekly after
hemodialysis in patients undergoing hemodialysis through a CVC (H).
4. Utilize infusion/vascular access teams for reducing CLABSI rates (L).
5. Use antimicrobial ointments for hemodialysis catheter insertion sites (H).
6. Use an antiseptic-containing hub/connector cap/port protector to cover connectors
(M).
Approaches That Should Not Be Considered a Routine Part of CLABSI
Prevention
1. Do not use antimicrobial prophylaxis for short-term or tunneled catheter insertion or
while catheters are in situ (H).
2. Do not routinely replace CVCs or arterial catheters (H).
Unresolved Issues
1. Routine use of needleless connectors as a CLABSI prevention strateg y before an
assessment of risks, benefits, and education regarding proper use.
2. Surveillance of other types of catheters (e.g., peripheral arterial or venous catheters).
3. Standard, nonantimicrobial transparent dressings and CLABSI risk.
4. The impact of using chlorhexidine-based products on bacterial resistance to
chlorhexidine.
5. Sutureless securement.
6. Impact of silver zeolite-impregnated umbilical catheters in preterm infants (applicable
in countries where it is approved for use in children).
7. Necessity of medical disinfection of a catheter hub, needleless connector, and injection
port before accessing the catheter when antiseptic-containing caps are used.
