The number of central lines placed in patients could alter overall infection rates, according to a study published in the American Journal of Infection Control.
For the study, researchers compared the rate of central line-associated bloodstream infections between patients with one central line and patients with two or more central lines from 2001 to 2011.
The researchers found the CLABSI rate was significantly lower for patients with only one central line (3.69 per 1,000 central line days) compared to patients with two or more central lines (13.09 per 1,000 central line days). Given the standard rate of CLABSI infections was 5.94 per 1,000 central line days, researchers suggest stratifying patients by number of central lines so as not to significantly impact overall infection rates during surveillance or reporting.
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For the study, researchers compared the rate of central line-associated bloodstream infections between patients with one central line and patients with two or more central lines from 2001 to 2011.
The researchers found the CLABSI rate was significantly lower for patients with only one central line (3.69 per 1,000 central line days) compared to patients with two or more central lines (13.09 per 1,000 central line days). Given the standard rate of CLABSI infections was 5.94 per 1,000 central line days, researchers suggest stratifying patients by number of central lines so as not to significantly impact overall infection rates during surveillance or reporting.
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