Bacteremia zero project is effective to reduce catheter-related bloodstream infection in a pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Since January 2009, the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias is enrolled in the bacteremia zero project (Johns Hopkins Hospital, World Alliance for patient safety, Health Spanish Ministry). We were expecting to reduce our catheter-related bloodstream infection (CR-BSI) rate with the application of a team approach (physicians and nurses working together), a daily check-list of objectives and a bundle for standardized Central Venous Catheter (CVC) insertion. A prospective, observational, interventional and interrupted time-series study was designed. CR-BSI rates per 1000 catheters-days were compared during two periods: before (Jan 2003–Dec 2009) and after (Jan 2009–Dec 2010) bacteremia zero project. During the first period, CR-BSI rate was 3.05 (95%CI 0.93–5.17)/1000 catheter-days. During the second period, CR-BSI rate was 0/1000 catheter-days.