Introduction

Central Line–Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSIs) are among the most serious and preventable healthcare-associated infections. They are associated with increased morbidity, mortality, length of stay, and cost of care—especially in critical care, oncology, dialysis, and other high-dependency units where central venous catheters are frequently used. The CLABSI Prevention Program (NHSN-aligned) is designed to build strong, practice-ready competence in evidence-based central line insertion, maintenance, and surveillance practices, with emphasis on standardized bundles, staff accountability, and continuous quality improvement. The program integrates prevention science with practical bedside workflows, helping healthcare teams reduce CLABSI risk through consistent adherence to validated infection prevention strategies.

Scope

This program covers the complete prevention ecosystem for central lines, aligned with NHSN surveillance concepts and prevention expectations, including:

• CLABSI fundamentals: definitions, impact, and risk pathways
• Central line lifecycle approach: need assessment → insertion → maintenance → daily review → removal
• Evidence-based prevention bundles and best practices (adult, pediatric, and unit-based considerations)
• Aseptic technique, hand hygiene, skin antisepsis, hub/port disinfection, dressing care, and line access safety
• Documentation, competency assessment, audit tools, compliance monitoring, and feedback loops
• Surveillance readiness: understanding key reporting concepts, event recognition, and quality indicators (program-level orientation)
• Implementation in ICUs, NICUs/PICUs, HDUs, oncology units, step-down units, and procedural areas

Objectives

By the end of this program, learners will be able to:

• Explain how CLABSIs occur and identify modifiable risk factors across insertion and maintenance phases
• Apply standardized central line insertion and maintenance bundles correctly in routine clinical workflows
• Demonstrate correct practices for catheter site care, dressing changes, access/flush technique, and hub disinfection
• Strengthen unit-based safety culture using audits, checklists, and escalation pathways for non-compliance
• Perform daily line necessity review and support timely removal to reduce device-days
• Support program implementation through training, competency validation, monitoring, and continuous improvement
• Align local practices with NHSN-oriented surveillance and prevention expectations to improve patient safety outcomes

Who can enroll

This program is suitable for multidisciplinary teams involved in central line use, care, infection control, and quality improvement, including:

• Staff nurses, ICU/critical care nurses, NICU/PICU nurses, oncology nurses, dialysis nurses
• Physicians, intensivists, anesthetists, surgeons, residents, fellows
• Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) professionals, microbiologists, HIC/ICN teams
• Quality managers, patient safety officers, NABH/NABL coordinators (where applicable)
• Nursing educators, clinical trainers, and hospital administrators involved in HAI reduction initiatives
• Allied healthcare professionals involved in vascular access support and catheter care

Study content on TERRALEAP.COM

Learners receive structured learning resources through TERRALEAP.COM, including:

To support learning and practical implementation, this program includes videos and PDF-based study resources provided through TERRALEAP.COM.