The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) has made a significant advancement in the field of infection prevention by launching an updated guide that not only focuses on Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSIs) but extends the concern to all Catheter-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CABSIs). This is reflected in a comprehensive dialogue between Infection Control Today (ICT) and DJ Shannon, a key contributor to the APIC guide, Community Health Network’s infection prevention manager, and patient safety advocate.
The discussion, held during the APIC Conference & Expo in Phoenix, Arizona, from June 16 to 18, 2025, covered the scope of the new guide, its importance, and the rationale behind its broader approach. Shannon revealed that the push for the updated guide came from a realization of the need to shift focus from just CLABSIs to all aspects of bacteremia, irrespective of the source. This shift offers healthcare professionals a fresh perspective on mitigating infection risks from all vascular access devices, subsequently enhancing patient safety.
As the guide explains, Hospital Onset Bacteremia (HOB) represents all kinds of bacteremia patients contracted in the hospital, not necessarily connected to any medical devices. Catheter-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CABSIs), on the other hand, are restricted to bacteremia linked to vascular access devices. Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSIs), a subsection of CABSIs, are specifically tied to bacteremia from central venous access devices. Therefore, the guide is designed to delve deep into the aspects of CABSIs while still acknowledging the broader framework of HOBs.
The guide also emphasizes the need for infection preventionists to collaborate closely with vascular access specialists. This would ensure a nuanced perspective for determining the site of device placement based on vessel health and preservation. Furthermore, developing a thorough understanding of the factors leading to the quality of care for vascular access devices is crucial. According to Shannon, the guide includes a section on performance measures that can be implemented by infection preventionists, providing them a new outlook on the process measure that might be impacting the outcomes. The objective here is to strive for enhanced patient safety by adopting a more comprehensive approach and developing well-rounded strategies for infection prevention.