Since the fall of 2005, GNYHA has been working in partnership with the United Hospital Fund on eliminating central-line associated bloodstream infections in hospital intensive care units (ICUs). The CLABs Collaborative bases its efforts on bundle of proven infection control practices in the ICU to improve quality of care and ensure patient safety. Thirty-eight hospitals throughout the Greater New York region have been participating in the CLABs Collaborative, with the primary goal of reducing central line-associated bloodstream infections.

The most recent results 171 KB from the GNYHA-United Hospital Fund (UHF) Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABs) Collaborative show that CLABs rates in participating hospitals have declined by more than 70%-and that the decline has been sustained over time-since the initiative began two years ago. These results have clearly demonstrated that infections can be eliminated through leadership support, teamwork, communication, systematic adoption of evidence-based practices, and basic hand hygiene.

In partnership with IPRO, the New York State quality improvement organization, the CLABs Collaborative has also developed a Web site called “Joint Effort New York” (JENY), which is an interactive forum where hospitals can share information and obtain needed technical resources and support in order to implement safe practices. For information on the CLABs Collaborative or to implement the evidence-based practices to eliminate CLABs in your hospital, go to the CLABs Collaborative resource center.

Project Contact: Terri Straub