Use of Simulation-Based Education to Reduce Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections

Abstract

Iatrogenic complications occur in 2.9% to 3.7% of hospitalized patients.^1,2 In 2002, there were an estimated 1.7 million hospital-acquired infections in the United States.³ Central venous catheters (CVC) and associated catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) are a major source of preventable adverse events in hospitals.^4,5Patients are exposed to 15 million CVC days annually in the intensive care unit (ICU),⁶ resulting in 80 000 bloodstream infections.³ Each of these infections carries an attributable mortality risk of 12% to 25% in addition to substantial marginal costs.⁵ In 2006 and 2007, reported CRBSI rates in a national sample of adult ICUs ranged from 1.2 to 5.6 per 1000 catheter-days.⁷