Reducing Central Line–Associated Bloodstream Infections on Inpatient Oncology Units Using Peer Review

The purpose of this article is to describe a peer-to-peer program and the outcomes of interventions to reduce the incidence of central line–associated bloodstream infections in patients in bone marrow transplantation, medical, and surgical oncology units. The article reviews the process and describes tools used to achieve success in a Magnet®-designated academic medical center.

At a Glance

• A team approach and peer-to-peer process can help reduce the rate of central line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) in the oncology setting.
• Staff education is vital when introducing new techniques to reduce CLABSI.
• Using a checklist can provide staff with specific step-by-step processes to ensure safety when caring for patients with central line access.