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NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens Celebrates Third Consecutive Year Without Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections in the ICU
Dec 07, 2021
NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens announced today that it has achieved three consecutive years without any central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) in ICU patients. The CDC defines a CLABSI as a serious infection that occurs when germs (usually bacteria or viruses) enter the bloodstream through the central line. NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens follows stringent infection control practices and multilayer approach to ensure the reduction of CLABSI, including utilizing central line bundles, decreasing the reliance of central lines, staff education, and more. All CLABSI are reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Healthcare Safety Network database. The NYS Department of Health performs ongoing validation of this data. NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens’ achievement around CLABSI builds on the public health system’s commitment to safety and high-quality care for all patients.
“Today, hospital leadership and the Quality and Safety team at NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens join in acknowledging being CLABSI-free consistently for three full years, and we are recognizing our entire ICU team for this remarkable accomplishment which is an example of our ongoing commitment to providing the best care possible to our patients and our community” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens CEO Neil J. Moore, MBA, MPA, FACHE.
The NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens ICU team uses a multilayered approach that has helped eliminate CLABSI for three consecutive years. These approaches include the use of central line bundles of care, an overall reduction in utilization of central lines by using new technologies, such as point of care ultrasound and daily review of line necessity, ongoing performance improvements, staff education on infection control compliance, and more.
“I am delighted that NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens has reached this milestone of being CLABSI-free for three full years, particularly during a period where we weathered the hardships accelerated by the coronavirus pandemic,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens Associate Director of Medicine, Pulmonary Critical Care Attending, Jean Fleischman, MD, FCCP, who is also the hospital Deputy Medical Director for Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement. “The fact is that patients who develop CLABSIs are subject to prolonged hospital stays, excessive hospital costs, and an increased risk of death. Our laser-like focus on preventive measures such as interdisciplinary collaboration between nurses, physicians, and our infection prevention team has led to us reaching this most admirable level of safety.”
For more information about NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens, visit our website www.nychealthandhospitals.org/queens, or call 1-844-NYC-4NYC for an appointment.