Impact of a Multimodal Infection Control Intervention on Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections in the ICU.

Background/

Objectives

Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) remains a major healthcare-associated infection in intensive care units (ICUs). This study evaluated changes in CLABSI incidence following the implementation of a multimodal infection control intervention in the ICU.

Methods

We conducted a quasi-experimental study in the adult ICUs of a referral hospital from January 2023 to December 2025. The interventions included staff education, performance feedback, infection control-led rounds, optimization of catheter practices, and reinforcement of environmental hygiene. The primary outcome was CLABSI incidence per 1000 central line-days. An interrupted time-series analysis using segmented Poisson regression with robust standard errors was used to assess temporal trends.

Results

A total of 17 CLABSI cases occurred during the pre-intervention period, and 25 during the post-intervention period. There was no significant difference in CLABSI incidence between the two periods (incidence rate ratio, 1.07; 95% confidence interval, 0.58-1.98). However, interrupted time-series analysis demonstrated a significant decreasing trend in CLABSI incidence following the intervention (rate ratio, 0.89 per month; 95% confidence interval, 0.81-0.97; p = 0.01). This trend was observed despite the higher patient severity and increased use of advanced supportive therapies in the post-intervention period. The device utilization ratio and monthly blood culture rate remained unchanged. Avoidance of femoral venous access increased, and adherence to catheter-handling protocols significantly improved.

Conclusions

A staged, multimodal intervention was associated with a significant decreasing trend in CLABSI incidence over time, suggesting a potential benefit of comprehensive infection prevention strategies in ICU settings.