A central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) is an infection that happens when germs get into a person’s blood through a central line. A central line is a type of tube that goes into a big vein in the body. It can be used to give medicine, fluids, check blood pressure, and take blood samples. It’s important to keep everything around the central line clean, to help prevent infections.
UAB Medicine works working hard to keep patients safe from infections, especially. We have a special plan that uses a few important steps called a bundle to lower the chances of these infections. Here’s what that involves:
- Quickly remove unneeded lines: If a patient has a central line, the hospital staff checks if it’s still necessary every day. If it’s not needed anymore, it is taken out right away. This helps stop germs from getting in.
- Keep everything clean: When putting in or using a central line, doctors and nurses make sure everything is super clean. This helps prevent germs from entering.
- Use antibacterial soap: The hospital uses a strong antibacterial liquid called chlorhexidine to clean the skin of patients before procedures. This soap kills germs by breaking them apart. Since our skin has lots of tiny germs that we can’t see, using chlorhexidine helps protect patients when a medical device is being used. UAB Medicine asks all patients with a central line to wash with chlorhexidine every day, which helps keep them safe from infections.
- Using special bandages: UAB Medicine has started using special bandages that have chlorhexidine in them. This helps protect the area around a catheter (a tube used for giving medicine or fluids) from germs and bacteria
MRSA, which stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is a type of bacteria that can make people sick. This bacteria is really tough, because it has learned how to resist many antibiotics, which makes treating infections caused by MRSA more complicated.
Even though we don’t notice it, our bodies are covered in bacteria. Most of these bacteria are harmless and some are even helpful. However, if our skin gets cut or if our body’s defense system is weak, these normally safe bacteria can sneak into our bodies and cause infections. The CDC says that about 2 out of every 100 people have MRSA living on their skin but don’t get sick. MRSA can get into the bloodstream either by moving from another area of the body or if there’s an opening like a tube that goes into the body.