Korean J Nosocomial Infect Control.  2007 Jun;12(1):36-41.

Impact of Maximal Sterile Barrier during the Insertion of Central Venous Catheters in Adults Intensive Care Units

• Yoo JY
• Kim EJ
• Yun IS
• Lee JS
• Lee JY
• Byun JM
• Ha KH
• Yoon SW
• Yoon SE
• Kang JM

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CR-BSIs) are common, costly, and potentially lethal. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the effect of maximal sterile barrier on CR-BSIs in intensive care units.
METHODS
We monitored CR-BSIs in intensive care units of Sunlin Hospital in Pohang, before (September 2005 to May 2006) and after (June to December 2006) implementation of maximal sterile barrier. CR-BSIs were identified by using the definition of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
RESULTS
During the intervention period, the proportion of conducting maximal sterile barrier was 84%. In the pre-intervention period, 10 episodes of CR-BSIs were recorded out of a total of 1,749 catheter-days, compared to 1 episode of CR-BSI out of a total of 1,277 catheter-days in the post-intervention period. The rate of CR-BSIs was significantly reduced from 5.72 to 0.57 per 1,000 catheter-days (P=0.03).
CONCLUSION
Implementation of maximal sterile barrier resulted in a significant reduction in CR-BSIs.

Keyword

Catheter-related bloodstream infections; Catheter-related bloodstream infections rates; Maximal sterile barrier

MeSH Terms

Adult*
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
Central Venous Catheters*
Gyeongsangbuk-do
Humans
Intensive Care Units*
Critical Care*