Which of the following best describes CLABSI prevention?

Which of the following best describes CLABSI prevention?

• A. Strict hand hygiene, sterile barrier precautions during insertion, chlorhexidine skin antisepsis, and removing catheters as soon as possible
• B. Avoidance of antibiotics entirely
• C. Only standard hand hygiene
• D. Delayed catheter removal to reduce insertion disruptions

Answer: (A)

CLABSI prevention relies on a bundle of evidence-based practices applied together to reduce infection risk. The elements described—rigorous hand hygiene, maximal sterile barrier precautions during central venous catheter insertion, chlorhexidine skin antisepsis, and removing catheters as soon as they are no longer needed—target different points where infection can be introduced or persist. Hand hygiene prevents transferring pathogens; sterile barriers during insertion minimize contamination of the catheter tract; chlorhexidine reduces skin bacterial load at the insertion site; and removing the catheter promptly eliminates the ongoing exposure that can lead to bloodstream infection. Implementing all components together yields the strongest reduction in CLABSI risk. Alternatives like relying on antibiotics alone, using only standard hand hygiene, or delaying catheter removal do not address the full set of risk factors and can even increase risk.

CLABSI prevention relies on a bundle of evidence-based practices applied together to reduce infection risk. The elements described—rigorous hand hygiene, maximal sterile barrier precautions during central venous catheter insertion, chlorhexidine skin antisepsis, and removing catheters as soon as they are no longer needed—target different points where infection can be introduced or persist. Hand hygiene prevents transferring pathogens; sterile barriers during insertion minimize contamination of the catheter tract; chlorhexidine reduces skin bacterial load at the insertion site; and removing the catheter promptly eliminates the ongoing exposure that can lead to bloodstream infection. Implementing all components together yields the strongest reduction in CLABSI risk. Alternatives like relying on antibiotics alone, using only standard hand hygiene, or delaying catheter removal do not address the full set of risk factors and can even increase risk.