Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI)

What is a Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection, or CLABSI?

A central line, like the name implies, is a catheter that gains direct entry into the bloodstream with the tip of a line sitting either within the superior vena cava or inferior vena cava, or within one of the great vessels of the neck.

As a result of its central location, this type of catheter can occasionally allow pathogens to gain direct entry into the bloodstream. If this occurs, because of the location of the catheter, patients become unwell very quickly.

This is why prompt assessment, recognition and treatment of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) is essential to help ensure favourable patient outcomes are achieved.

Preventing and Controlling Healthcare Associated Infections Standard

In Australia, the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care’s (ACSQHC) National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards specifies the prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections (HAI) as one of the eight essential Standards of care for health services.

In accordance with this Standard, the ACSQHC states that certain criteria need to be met in order for the patient to be diagnosed with a CLABSI (ACSQHC 2019), such as the timing of the central line and when it was inserted, a sample of blood cultures taken, and any infection not being attributable to an infection at another site.