Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI)

Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) account for a large proportion of bloodstream infections (BSIs) occurring in U.S. hospitals.  In Tennessee, CLABSIs have been reportable to the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) since January 1, 2008, from intensive care units (ICU) in acute care hospitals (burn and trauma units began reporting in July 2010, and hospitals with an average daily census ≤25 began reporting in July 2012). CLABSIs have been reportable from medical, surgical and medical-surgical wards in acute care hospitals since April 2014.  Long-term acute care hospitals began reporting CLABSIs in July 2010. Monthly reporting of numerator and denominator data is ongoing in each location type unless otherwise specified.

For detailed reporting requirements, please see the information provided below.

Which health care facilities need to report?

All acute care hospitals regardless of average daily census (excluding critical access hospitals) and long-term acute care facilities (LTACs) are required to report CLABSIs.

Which units within these facilities must report information?

The following units are to provide the necessary information:

• All adult and pediatric ICUS, including burn and trauma
• Neonatal intensive care units (NICUs): Level 2/3 and Level 3
• Medical, surgical, and Medical-Surgical Wards (adult and pediatric)
• All long-term acute care facilities (LTACs)

What information must be reported?

Regarding numerator data, central-line associated blood stream infections meeting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Healthcare Safety Network (CDC/NHSN) case definition must be reported.

The following should be reported for denominator data:

• Patient days
• Central line (CL) days

How should the information be reported?

Those who report must use the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) software application.

For more information see the following links.

• NHSN Surveillance Reporting
• CLABSI NHSN Protocol
• CLABSI NHSN Protocol Training

CLABSI Numerator

• Form
• Form Instructions

CLABSI Denominator

• NICU
• NICU Form Instructions
• ICU and Other Locations (not NICU or SCA)
• Form Instructions

CDC Location and Descriptions

• Location Descriptions