NICU-specific bundle for minimizing central line-associated bloodstream infections: Comparative health care costs of interventions

Abstract

Background: Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) significantly impact patient outcomes and health care costs. This study evaluates the effect of NICU-specific bundle designed to prevent CLABSIs.

Methods: This retrospective single-center study was conducted at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine from March 2020 to August 2021. It was designed to compare 2 periods: pre-intervention and post-intervention period.

Results: The implementation of the bundles led to a significant reduction in infection rates, with CLABSIs decreasing from 29 to 4 per 1,000 central line days in NICU-1 and from 14.2 to 2.6 per 1,000 central line days in NICU-2. This decline was accompanied by an 80% reduction in the average health care cost per patient.

Conclusions: The implementation of a NICU-specific CLABSI prevention bundle significantly reduced infection rates and lowered health care costs by approximately 80% per patient. These findings highlight the effectiveness of structured, multidisciplinary infection control strategies in improving neonatal outcomes and resource utilization.

Keywords: Bundle; Central venous catheter; Healthcare cost; Infection control; Neonatal; Quality improvement.