Your Resource for HQIC News and Learning Opportunities | Oct. 2022
Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSIs) 
CLABSIs are the third most frequent healthcare-associated infection (HAI) reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN), with more than 30,000 CLABSIs occurring each year.1,2 These infections have mortality rates as high as 25 percent and significantly increase cost and hospital length of stay. Many of these infections are preventable when providers adhere to fundamental infection control principles.

The guidance in The Flash section below explores device utilization at the facility- and unit-level, explains how NHSN data can be used to target units with higher incidence of infection, and shares tools that assess factors that contribute to increases in CLABSI events.

HSAG HQIC certified infection preventionists are available to assist if you have any questions or need additional support. Contact them through your quality advisor or email HospitalQuality@hsag.com. 
It Figures: Data Performance
Data show that the CLABSI rate, CLABSI standardized infection ratio (SIR), and CLABSI standardized utilization ratio (SUR) have worsened since the baseline period of 2019 (lower rates are better).

Visit the HSAG HQIC Quality Improvement Innovation Portal (QIIP) to view your CLABSI data by selecting the Measure Category of “HAI–Device Associated” and Measure of “CLABSI Rate–All Reported,” “CLABSI SIR–All Reported,” and “CLABSI SUR–All Reported.” 
Source: NHSN. Valid as of 09/07/2022. For additional details on measure specifications, please reference the HSAG HQIC Compendium of Measures.
The Flash: Resources
HSAG HQIC Targeted Assessment for Prevention (TAP) Strategy Overview
This document provides an overview of the TAP strategy and when and how to use it.
NHSN Acute Care Mapping and Leveraging the TAP Strategy Webinar Recording
NHSN experts instruct how to analyze and determine unit acuity levels to achieve Value-Based Purchasing goals.
CDC CLABSI TAP Implementation Guide
This guide includes appropriate use, insertion practices, and proper maintenance for central venous catheters.
NHSN Guide to SUR
This guide describes how to calculate the number of predictive days and how to interpret the SURs for central lines, urinary catheters, and ventilators.
HSAG HQIC CLABSI Audit Tool
This spreadsheet was created to help hospitals monitor their use of central lines, including observations, indications, and chart review.
HSAG HQIC CLABSI Exploration Form
Use this detailed investigative form to examine details behind every hospital-associated CLABSI.
AHRQ* Toolkit for Preventing CLABSI and CAUTI* in the ICU*
This toolkit provides clinical and cultural guidance to assess, implement, and overcome CLABSIs and CAUTIs.
*AHRQ = Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
CAUTI = catheter-associated urinary tract infection
ICU = intensive care unit
Critical Communication
Monkeypox Virus
Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. According to the CDC, the monkeypox virus is part of the same family of viruses that cause smallpox. The symptoms are similar to smallpox but milder, and monkeypox is rarely fatal.
Visit the CDC Infection Prevention and Control of Monkeypox in Healthcare Settings for a thorough list of recommendations.
View the one-page Monkeypox Preparedness Checklist for Healthcare Facilities from the Virginia Department of Health.
Events and Education
Phase 2: Care Coordination Quickinar Series
Continue your care coordination journey for managing avoidable hospital readmissions. These short, 30-minute webinars are offered monthly through July 2023. Find recordings for past presentations on the quickinar webpage.

Next webinar: Tuesday, January 10, 2023 | 2 p.m. ET
References
1Woodward B, Umberger R. (2016) Review of best practices for CLABSI prevention and the impact of recent legislation of CLABSI reporting. Sage. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2158244016677747
2National Healthcare Safety Network. (2022) Bloodstream Infection Event (Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection and Non-central Line Associated Bloodstream Infection). https://www.cdc.gov/nhsn/pdfs/pscmanual/4psc_clabscurrent.pdf
This material was prepared by Health Services Advisory Group (HSAG), a Hospital Quality Improvement Contractor (HQIC) under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Views expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the official views or policy of CMS or HHS, and any reference to a specific product or entity herein does not constitute endorsement of that product or entity by CMS or HHS. Publication No XS-HQIC-XT-10052022-01