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Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (Oakland)

What is a central line?

A central line, also called a central venous catheter, is a tube placed into a large vein, often in the neck, chest, arm or groin. These catheters are used to take blood samples or to give medications and fluids. Central lines may be left in place for several weeks and are often needed for today's complex patient care.

What is a central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI)?

A CLABSI can occur when germs multiply on the central line material and enter the bloodstream. A CLABSI can cause fever and chills or make the skin around the catheter become red and tender. A CLABSI can be dangerous and lead to serious complications, even death, especially for critically ill patients. At UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, the neonatal intensive care unit and other pediatric intensive care units treat the sickest, most fragile babies and children, who may require central lines.

How does UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland monitor CLABSIs?

UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland measures CLABSI rates using the methods of the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The rate is expressed as the number of infections per 1,000 central line days (the total number of days any patient has a central line in place). For example, if two patients had a central line for five days each, that's a total of 10 central line days.

What is the CLABSI rate at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland?

Lower is better when comparing these infection rates. UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland achieved a rate of 0.47 CLABSIs per 1,000 central line days in fiscal year 2022.

Our goal is to have zero central line–associated bloodstream infections in our hospital.

What does UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland do to prevent CLABSIs?

To prevent infection, we treat the insertion of a central line as a surgical procedure. This means doctors and nurses thoroughly wash their hands before the procedure and put on surgical gowns and caps, masks and sterile gloves. The patient is covered from head to toe with sterile drapes. These measures result in lower infection rates.

When cleaning or removing a central line, we follow specific sterile procedures that are closely monitored.

In addition, a committee of infection control staff members, nurses and doctors meets regularly to review infection rates and examine our procedures. If a CLABSI occurs, this committee evaluates what, if anything, went wrong.

What can parents do?

Talk to your child's health care team. Find out when the central line can be safely removed. If you think a doctor, nurse or technician hasn't cleaned their hands, ask them to do so before touching you, your child or your child's catheter.