Cedars-Sinai Study Shows Catheter Safeguards Save Lives and Money

A recent study by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center shows that, on average, catheter safety protocols reduce central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) by 57%. Cedars-Sinai researchers collected and analyzed data from 113 hospitals and found that hospitals save $315,000 for every $100,000 they invest in CLABSI prevention. Preventive measures include implementing new safety procedures, like covering catheters with antimicrobial dressings, and providing staff with extra training. The savings came from reduced costs in treating infected patients.

“Safety interventions are a win-win for both patients and hospitals,” said Teryl Nuckols, MD, MSHS, director of the Division of General Internal Medicine in the Cedars-Sinai Department of Medicine. “Due to the high cost of caring for patients when central-line infections develop, even sizable up-front investments in infection prevention can be associated with large net savings.” Cedars-Sinai’s study was published in JAMA Internal Medicine and is available here.

Rush University Medical Center is one organization that has seen improvements after implementing CLABSI safety protocols. Epic community members can learn more about Rush’s CLABSI reduction program here.