Title

Prevention of Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Authoring Organization

Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America

Publication Month/Year

March 3, 2022

Last Updated Month/Year

October 17, 2024

Document Type

Consensus

Country of Publication

US

Document Objectives

To provide practical, expert opinion, and/or evidence-based answers to frequently asked questions about CLABSI detection and prevention in the NICU. This document serves as a companion to the CDC Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) Guideline for Prevention of Infections in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Patients.

Target Patient Population

NICU patients

Target Provider Population

Neonatologists, Pediatricians, Infection Control

PICO Questions

  1. How often should CVC dressings be changed in NICU infants?

  2. In which NICU patients should CHG-impregnated sponges or other CHG-impregnated dressings be used?

  3. What are practical considerations for the implementation of a neonatal vascular access team (VAT)?

  4. What preventive bundle elements, above and beyond those recommended by the CDC, could be considered by a NICU experiencing ongoing CLABSIs?

  5. In which NICU patients should CHG-impregnated sponges or other CHG-impregnated dressings be used?

Inclusion Criteria

Male, Female, Infant

Health Care Settings

Hospital

Intended Users

Nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, physician assistant

Scope

Prevention

Diseases/Conditions (MeSH)

D001424 - Bacterial Infections

Keywords

central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI), Central Venous Catheter, CLABSI, NICU, neonatal intensive care unit, PICC, chlorhexidine gluconate, skin antisepsis, CVC dressing, CHG-impregnated dressings, alcohol disinfectant caps, CHG bathing, laboratory stewardship, diagnostic stewardship, prophylactic antimicrobial lock, peripherally inserted central catheter, neonatal vascular access team

Source Citation

Muller M, Bryant KA, Espinosa C, Jones JA, Quach C, Rindels JR, Stewart DL, Zangwill KM, Sánchez PJ. SHEA neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) white paper series: Practical approaches for the prevention of central line-associated bloodstream infections. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2022 Mar 4:1-46. doi: 10.1017/ice.2022.53. PMID: 35241185.