The Impact of Bedside Behavior on Catheter-Related Bacteremia in the Intensive Care Unit

Abstract
APPROXIMATELY 250 000 catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) occur annually in the United States, many of which are preventable with appropriate adherence to evidenced-based guidelines in infection control.1 Although the attributable mortality due to a CRBSI is controversial (range, 0%-35%), these infections cause excess morbidity and length of stay across all studies and represent a major public health concern.2-7 The marginal cost of a primary bacteremia is $25 000,1 but has been estimated to be as high as $56 167 in 1998 dollars in intensive care unit (ICU) patients.8

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