APSIC revised guidelines for prevention of central line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI): a summary and position statement

Objective: To describe the revised Asia Pacific Society of Infection Control (APSIC) Guidelines for Prevention of Central Line Associated Blood Stream Infections (CLABSI) 2024. Design: The revised guidelines was developed by infection prevention and control experts and key opinion leaders from Asia Pacific. Setting: Emphasis on practical implementation of Central Line Insertion and Maintenance Bundles using quality improvement approach is recommended towards the goal of achieving zero CLABSI in any healthcare setting. Patients or participants: Any patients with a central line in a healthcare setting. Interventions: Literature search was done for recent international updates in CLABSI prevention. Recommendations were evaluated for practical and feasible implementation in low resourced settings. Results: The key recommendations are listed in the APSIC CLABSI insertion and maintenance guidelines. Additional measures are recommended for use where CLABSI rates remain high despite implementation of all preventive strategies to achieve institutional goals. Conclusions: A surveillance program is recommended to monitor outcomes and compliance with bundles. Ongoing review of the performance data with appropriate interventions made should facilitate efforts towards zero CLABSI rate.