CDC - Blogs - Safe Healthcare – Preventing CLABSIs in Dialysis

Preventing CLABSIs in Dialysis
Categories: CLABSI, NHSN, hemodialysis

August 25th, 2010 3:06 pm ET -


dialysis brochure
Author – Priti Patel, MD, MPH
Medical Officer
CDC’s Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion

Reducing central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) is a national priority. We all know about the incredible efforts dedicated to preventing these infections in intensive care units and other inpatient units – but what about settings outside of acute care?

Since 2009, CDC has partnered with interested dialysis providers, infection preventionists, health departments, and others to prevent CLABSIs in chronic hemodialysis patients. Over the last year, this group has teamed up to develop a set of interventions that are being implemented in participating facilities. In the process, they are setting new standards for what can be achieved through infection prevention in hemodialysis facilities.

Monthly conference calls offer educational opportunities to the collaborative participants and serve as a forum for discussion of common challenges and potential solutions. Participants have regular access to CDC subject matter experts and other stakeholders who offer support and assistance. Participating facilities enter data into the dialysis module of CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN). Using NHSN data, the participants can compare their rates with the rest of the group and can use this information to influence decisions in their facility; NHSN data also allows us to follow the impact of the collaborative over time.

The collaborative has already shown signs of early success and is looking to expand! Interested individuals should contact us for more information or consider joining one of our monthly calls. Our primary focus is on units that provide outpatient hemodialysis services. However, we recently asked several motivated inpatient units to join our ranks. We are very excited about the opportunities for shared learning between inpatient and outpatient dialysis settings and the prospect of addressing prevention across these care transitions.

CDC is proud to be a part of this effort. Working with such thoughtful and motivated partners has convinced us that the elimination of these devastating infections is possible.

For more information or to download a PDF of the dialysis prevention collaborative brochure and fact sheet, please visit:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/dpac_Dialysis-Collaborative.html.

open here please:
CDC - Blogs - Safe Healthcare – Preventing CLABSIs in Dialysis