Catheter-associated bloodstream infections: Looking outside of the ICU

Benchmark data for hospital infections in the non-ICU setting are starting to become available and efforts to improve care may have greater impact here than in the ICU. Upon patient transfer out of the ICU, it should be determined whether the catheter can be removed. Educational measures targeted at non-ICU wards are warranted. First results of computer-assisted methods to facilitate surveillance of larger number of patients are promising. The Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee recommends that CA-BSIs be publicly reported. CA-BSIs in non-ICU patients could soon be part of a mandatory reporting.