Surveillance and attribution of ambulatory central line-associated bloodstream infections in a pediatric healthcare system

Abstract

Background: Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) in ambulatory pediatric populations are difficult to track at an institutional level, especially for complex patients seen by multiple divisions and home health infusion agencies.

Methods: A multidisciplinary team comprised of key stakeholders from divisions with the most patients discharged with a central line utilized Lean Six Sigma methodology of Define-Measure-Analyze-Design-Verify (DMADV) to create a standardized data collection process for all ambulatory CLABSIs and infection event reviews.

Results: A surveillance workflow was created to track, identify, and confirm ambulatory CLABSIs in all patients with an indwelling central line. Defined surveillance criteria included scope of patients eligible for ambulatory CLABSI surveillance, numerator definitions, and denominator calculations. Additionally, a novel attribution method was created for ambulatory CLABSIs in complex patient populations shared among multiple divisions and home care infusion services.

Conclusions: This report is a novel institutional approach to accurately surveil, attribute, and calculate ambulatory CLABSI data in a pediatric healthcare system.

Keywords: CLABSI; Catheter-related infection; Outpatient CLABSI.