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Central Line-Related Blood Stream Infections Print Page
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Central line-related blood stream infections (BSI) are infections that occur when bacteria grow in a central venous catheter or line. Patients who need frequent intravenous medications, blood, fluid replacement and/or nutrition may have a central venous catheter placed into one of their veins. An infection rate is determined by dividing the number of infections by the number of catheter days. When evaluating rates, a low number is better than a high one.

Concord Hospital compares its central line-related BSI rates to a benchmark rate calculated by the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System (NNIS). The mean rate is 0%.

Questions You Can Ask the Care Team to Help Prevent BSI:

  • Watch the health care team to make sure members wash their hands before and after working with the patient. Feel comfortable asking them to wash their hands.
  • Before agreeing to a line ask the following questions: Which vein will you use to put in the line? How will you clean the skin once the line is inserted? What steps are you taking to lower the risk of infection?

We welcome your comments and questions about the information on this page. Please use our Web site feedback form to contact us or call (603) 225-2711 ext. 3311.