What it means
A health care-associated infection in which bacteria or fungi get into the blood from an IV line, often a central line, through the insertion site, the hub or contaminated tubing or fluid. It can lead to sepsisSEP-sisA severe whole-body response to an infection that damages the body's own organs.Full entry . A central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) is the related term used in infection tracking. Most are preventable.
For the nurse
Do hand hygiene, scrub the hub before each access, keep the dressing clean, dry and sealed, change tubing and dressings on schedule, and ask every day whether the line is still needed. Report fever, chills or redness or drainage at the site.
At a glance
| Also written | catheter-related bloodstream infections, CRBSI, CR-BSI |
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Related terms
sepsis
A severe whole-body response to an infection that damages the body's own organs.
catheter
A thin, flexible tube put into the body to drain fluid out or to put fluid or drugs in.
hand hygiene
Cleaning the hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.
infusion
The slow delivery of a fluid or drug into the body, usually into a vein, over a period of time.