Icon Legend

This session is not in your schedule.

This session is in your schedule. Click again to remove it.

Session Icons

Thought Leader Session

Guidelines Session

Aging Adult Track

Additional Registration Fee

Research Snapshot Theater: Quality and Patient Safety/Infectious Disease, Adult

From Line to Lifeline: A Community Hospital’s Multidisciplinary Approach to CLABSI Reduction

Sunday, March 22, 2026

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM Central Time

Location: Connections Central - RST 11

AC

Andrew Clark, MD (he/him/his)

California

Disclosure(s): No relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose.
AA

Aftab Arif, MD

Resident
Saint Agnes Medical Center, California

Disclosure information not submitted.
KG

Kamalpreet K. Gill, MD

Trinity Health, California

Disclosure(s): No relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose.
Hamna Javed, MD

Saint Agnes Medical Center, California

Disclosure(s): No relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose.
MS

Moeez Sadiq, MD

Resident
Saint Agnes Medical Center, California

Disclosure information not submitted.
TA

Talal Arab, MD

Intensivist
Saint Agnes Medical Center, California

Disclosure information not submitted.
AN

Amritpal Nat, MD

Director of Intensive Care Unit
Saint Agnes Medical Center, California

Disclosure information not submitted.

Introduction: Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSIs) are preventable yet remain a major source of patient harm and hospital costs, increasing length of stay by up to 10 days and adding over $45,000 per case. Community hospitals often face unique challenges in sustaining best practices compared to larger academic centers.

Methods: Saint Agnes Medical Center launched a year-long multidisciplinary QI project (Jan–Dec 2024) using the Plan-Do-Study-Act model. Interventions included simulation-based inserter training, standardized insertion checklists, and a nurse-led “stop-the-line” policy. Midline catheter use increased as a first-line alternative when appropriate, and external jugular access was adopted by the crisis team. Peripheral vasopressors were introduced using evidence-based protocols with close monitoring for complications such as limb ischemia. Maintenance bundles included CHG bathing, dressing change competency, and daily line necessity reviews. Transparency was supported via unit-level dashboards, monthly feedback, and incentive-based recognition.

Results: Total CLABSIs declined from 22 to 8 (64%), and central line days dropped 15%. The hospital-wide standardized infection ratio (SIR) improved from 1.24 to 0.83 (95% CI: 0.31–1.46). In the ICU, CLABSIs fell from 14 to 3 (79%), with a line day reduction of 24%. The ICU SIR improved from 1.81 to 0.51 (95% CI: 0.00–1.18), significantly outperforming national benchmarks. The introduction of midlines and peripheral vasopressors contributed to reduced central line use while maintaining patient safety.

Conclusions: This project demonstrates that community hospitals can achieve substantial reductions in CLABSI through low-cost, multidisciplinary interventions focused on standardization, empowerment, and evidence-based vascular access. These strategies are scalable and align with national guidelines to enhance patient safety.