Contributing Factors and Interventions for Increased Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection (CLABSI) Rates During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Literature Review

Author

Brittney Perry, University of Central FloridaFollow

Keywords

CLABSI; coronavirus; pandemic; infection prevention; CLABSI prevention

Abstract

The purpose of this literature review is to determine the contributing factors of CLABSI rate increases during the COVID-19 pandemic and identify interventions which restored CLABSI rates to pre-pandemic levels to guide healthcare professionals’ actions during the next pandemic. Background: In the first two decades of the 21^st century, CLABSI rates were reduced in United States hospitals by innovating safer patient care practices. However, there was a significant increase in the annual CLABSI rate in 2020 and 2021, increasing the average length of stay, mortality rate, and cost to the U.S. healthcare system. Methods: An extensive search of CINAHL and MEDLINE databases was conducted using key terms “central line-associated bloodstream infection*”, COVID, and coronavirus. After assessment of eligibility, 16 studies were selected for final review. Results: Contributing factors were staffing issues, deviation from central line care standards, patient diagnosis of COVID-19, supply chain issues, and a lack of interdisciplinary collaboration in central line care. Successful interventions were interdisciplinary involvement, nursing education, CLABSI prevention bundle auditing, a new adaptation of a CLABSI prevention toolkit, and IV access point protector cap usage. Discussion: Although the interventions studied were effective, there was a notable misalignment between some contributing factors and interventions. Staffing issues and supply chain issues were two of the most common contributing factors to CLABSI rate increases, yet there is a lack of research surrounding interventions that may alleviate these factors. Further research must be conducted to address these factors to adequately prepare healthcare professionals for a future pandemic.

Thesis Completion Year

2024

Thesis Completion Semester

Spring

Thesis Chair

Deatrick, Christine

College

College of Nursing

Thesis Discipline

Nursing

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus Access

None

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

STARS Citation

Perry, Brittney, "Contributing Factors and Interventions for Increased Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection (CLABSI) Rates During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Literature Review" (2024). Honors Undergraduate Theses. 77.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hut2024/77