Prevention
Prevention of Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection
(CLABSI)
Basic practices for prevention and monitoring of CLABSI:
(recommended for all acute care hospitals)
ÎÎBefore insertion
>> Educate healthcare personnel involved in the insertion, care, and maintenance of central
venous catheters about CLABSI prevention (A-II).
ÎÎAt insertion
>> Use a catheter checklist to ensure adherence to infection prevention practices at the time
of central venous catheter insertion (B-II).
>> Perform hand hygiene before catheter insertion or manipulation (B-II).
>> Avoid using the femoral vein for central venous access in adult patients (A-I).
>> Use an all-inclusive catheter cart or kit (B-II).
>> Use maximum sterile barrier precautions during central venous catheter insertion (A-I).
>> Use a chlorhexidine-based antiseptic for skin preparation in patients older than 2 months
of age (A-I).
ÎÎAfter insertion
>> Disinfect catheter hubs, needleless connectors, and injection ports before accessing the
catheter (B-II).
>> Remove nonessential catheters (A-II).
>> For non-tunneled central venous catheters in adults and adolescents, change transparent
dressings and perform site care with a chlorhexidine-based antiseptic every 5-7 days or
more frequently if the dressing is soiled, loose, or damp; change gauze dressings every
2 days or more frequently if the dressing is soiled, loose, or damp (A-I).
>> Replace administration sets not used for blood, blood products, or lipids at intervals not
longer than 96 hours (A-II).
>> Perform surveillance for CLABSI (B-II).
>> Use antimicrobial ointments for hemodialysis catheter insertion sites (A-I).
Special approaches for the prevention of CLABSI:
(These special approaches are recommended for use in locations and/or populations within the
hospital for which outcome data and/or risk assessment suggest lack of effective control despite
implementation of basic practices.)
ÎÎPerform a CLABSI risk assessment.
ÎÎBathe intensive care unit (ICU) patients older than 2 months of age with
a chlorhexidine preparation on a daily basis (B-II).
ÎÎUse antiseptic- or antimicrobial-impregnated central venous catheters for
adult patients (A-I).
ÎÎUse chlorhexidine-containing sponge dressings for central venous catheters
in patients older than 2 months of age (B-I).
ÎÎUse antimicrobial locks for central venous catheters (A-I).
* Recommended for all acute care hospitals.
** These special approaches are recommended for use in locations and/or populations within the hospital
for which outcome data and/or risk assessment suggest lack of effective control despite implementation of
basic practices.
