Blood Stream Infections

Our Goal: Zero Catheter-Associated Blood Stream Infection Rate

At Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, we work toward a rate of zero catheter-associated blood stream infections (CABSI) on our pediatric critical care unit (PCCU), neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), hematology/oncology and medical/surgical units.

Why We Measure

Catheters are flexible tubes inserted into veins. They are used to deliver medications and fluids or get blood samples quickly. Catheters can become infected, allowing bacteria into the bloodstream. The infection can spread through the body, resulting in a CABSI. Bloodstream infections can be very dangerous to an ill patient's condition.

How We Measure

The occurrence rate of CABSIs is measured by the number of infections for every 1,000 central line days. Our goal is zero.

Here is how it works. A central line day represents the number of patients with venous catheters on any given day. For example:

• 10 children each have a venous catheter for five days = 50 central line days
• 1,000 children each have a venous catheter for one day = 1,000 central line days