Initiatives recommended by the Centralline Associated Bloodstream (CLAB) Infection Collaborative to reduce CLAB infections in hospitals are beginning to demonstrate concrete results. Participants in the CLAB Collaborative, sponsored by GNYHA and the United Hospital Fund of New York (UHF), have worked together to develop educational programs, collect data on CLAB infection rates, and adopt standardized protocols and materials that have been linked to reducing CLAB infections. The CLAB Collaborative, which is made up of GNYHA member hospitals, was established to help hospitals reduce CLABs, which are among the most common causes of hospitalacquired infections. To assist its members in sustaining the quality improvements, GNYHA and UHF have developed the CLAB Web site and provide ongoing educational conferences. The Web site, accessible via www.gnyha.org, has information to help hospitals educate staff and implement the standardized protocols developed through the Collaborative. Some recent postings to the Web site include:

• CLABs Questions & Answers. This section includes important questions that have been raised regarding definitions and specific processes related to central lines and bloodstream infections, and offers helpful answers.
• Educational Conferences. These bi-weekly educational conferences, which are available as audio recordings on the CLABWeb site, have been led by Institute for Healthcare Improvement staff and the CLAB Advisory Committee.
• Streaming Video. This video features the keynote address from the Collaborative's kick-off meeting, given by Richard Shannon, M.D., from Allegheny Medical Center in Pittsburgh. Dr. Shannon discusses the successful implementation of a CLABs project and its significant patient impact and cost-savings. Dr. Shannon has also agreed to speak during an upcoming CLAB Collaborative educational conference that will feature a cost-benefit analysis of implementing a CLABs reduction program.

For more information about the CLAB Collaborative, contact Terri Straub at GNYHA.