ICU Compliance Rates of 95% Cut CLABSIs

Indeed, for all elements except chlorhexidine antisepsis, there was a nonsignificant trend toward lowering CLABSI rates. It's unclear whether the lack of chlorhexidine effect may be related to an increasing prevalence of gram-negative and fungal infections causing CLABSIs or to chlorhexidine not being applied optimally, Dr. Furuya noted.

“I think we don't fully understand the implications of what we found with chlorhexidine. I think what we did find is that if you're very compliant with some elements of the bundle you may still reduce CLABSI rates, and even if you're missing one or more elements, then perhaps it doesn't make a difference,” she commented.

Further study, including direct observation of adherence to bundles, will be required to determine what impact, if any, very high rates of bundle adherence might have on reducing CLABSI rates. Future planned stages of the P-NICE study will interview personnel about compliance and will examine data over a longer period, she said.