The Effect of Care Bundles Based on Guidelines Over the Central Venous Catheter Infections in an Intensive Care Unit

Objective: To detect the effects of care bundle that is prepared depending on guidelines for central line associated infections. Material and Method: Patients in a tertiary medical intensive care unit were followed up during one year period in terms of catheter infections. The care bundle that was prepared depending on guidelines was performed for all central catheter placements. Catheters were evaluated in terms of local or systemic bloodstream infections everyday. Data obtained were compared with the previous year's data. Results: We concluded that age, gender or weight characteristics have no effect on central venous catheter related infections but we detected higher infection rates at patients who had higher APACHE 2 scores. Bloodstream infection rates related with central catheter were similar between catheters inserted at operation rooms or intensive care units but catheters inserted at out services had higher infections rates. It was shown that prolonged catheter duration is related with high infection levels but anatomic place of catheter has no relationship with infection rates. No relationship was found between clothing type and infection rate. Total parenteral nutrition, blood or blood product administration via central catheter has increased infection rates. Conclusion: Performing care bundles decreases central venous catheter utilization rates central line associated bloodstream infection rates.