1169. Preventing Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections in Long-Term Acute Care

BACKGROUND: Long-term acute care hospitals (LTACHs) care for chronically, critically ill patients with high utilization of central lines and high risk for morbidity from central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs). Our 38-bed LTACH noted a substantial increase in the incidence of CLABSIs (as defined by the National Healthcare Safety Network) between fiscal year (FY) 2016 and FY 2018 (Figure 1). Detailed case review identified a large number of CLABSIs which were clinically consistent with blood culture contaminants from central lines. Feedback from bedside staff also suggested gaps between practice and evidence-based measures for central line care. METHODS: A three-pronged CLABSI prevention project was implemented in July 2018 consisting of (1) staff education regarding daily chlorhexidine (CHG) bathing for all patients, combined with an electronic audit report to identify patients without active CHG orders; (2) change in practice to the use of venipuncture alone for blood culture collection, combined with an electronic audit report to identify blood cultures collected from central lines; and (3) a recurring 6-part educational series for nurses focused on central line care. The pre-intervention period was defined as the 12-month period between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018 (FY 2018). The primary outcome was the fiscal year CLABSI rate. A secondary outcome was the proportion of blood cultures drawn from central lines. RESULTS: After 9 months of the intervention, one CLABSI had been reported for FY 2019 year-to-date at a rate of 0.4 per 1,000 CL-days, representing an 86% decrease from the FY 2018 rate of 2.8 per 1,000 CL-days. The 12-month rolling CLABSI rate decreased to 1.6 per 1,000 CL-days (Figure 2). The proportion of blood cultures collected from central lines decreased from 10.5% (69/658) to 4.5% (15/334), representing a 57% reduction. The proportion of patients ordered and receiving CHG bathing in the intervention period was >95%. CONCLUSION: A multidisciplinary effort focused on CHG bathing, central line care, and blood culture collection led to a substantial reduction in CLABSIs in our LTACH. The use of electronic audit reports was particularly useful in achieving high adherence to practice changes. [Image: see text] [Image: see text] DISCLOSURES: All authors: No reported disclosures.