Guide to Preventing Catheter-associated Bloodstream Infections and Its Application

Catheter-associated bloodstream infections (CABSI) are major healthcare-associated infections with substantial morbidity and mortality.However, prevention and control strategies have traditionally focused on central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI).Although peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) are associated with a lower individual risk than central venous catheters, their widespread use results in a considerable overall burden of bloodstream infections.However, related research is limited.Recently, the surveillance of bloodstream infections has expanded from a CLABSI-focused approach to broader hospital-onset bacteremia and fungemia surveillance.With the increasing use of various vascular access devices (VADs), professional societies have begun publishing guidelines addressing CABSI across all types of VADs.The most recently published APIC (Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology) guidelines provided updated definitions, risk factors, and detailed management strategies for CABSI.In this review, we introduce the current approaches to CABSI prevention and management, focusing on the APIC guidelines.