Reducing the Central Line Associated Blood Stream Infection (CLABSI) Rate in CCU and NES ICU in KTPH.
Care Process & Redesign
National Healthcare Group Quality Improvement
National Healthcare Group
24 December 2025
The CLABSI rates in KPTH ICUs had increased and reducing CLABSI rates was identified as one of the Hospital Key Priority. The intervention successfully reduced CLABSI rates to zero in the targeted units, achieving significant cost savings and improving.
Year Submitted: 2025
Published Date: 24 December 2025
Tags: Care Process ＆ Redesign, Quality Improvement, Workflow Redesign, Cost Saving, Productivity
About this Content
Aims
The CLABSI rates in KPTH ICUs had increased and reducing CLABSI rates was identified as one of the Hospital Key Priority Areas in 2024. Based on the National Infection Prevention and Control Performance report, the team identified that NES ICU and CCU have higher CLABSI rates of 2.78% for 2020-2023.
Background
The CLABSI rates in KPTH ICUs had increased and reducing CLABSI rates was identified as one of the Hospital Key Priority Areas in 2024. Based on the National Infection Prevention and Control Performance report, the team identified that NES ICU and CCU have higher CLABSI rates of 2.78% for 2020-2023.
Methods
Strategies implemented included the availability of 2% Chlorhexidine solution, education on correct documentation, creating templates for ICU daily round notes, spreading documentation practices to CCU, training on swabbing time, compliance audits, and using ultrasound-guided insertion of central venous catheters.
Results
The pre-intervention mean was 2.78% and there was no CLABSI in KPTH NES ICU and CCU since October 2023. KTPH achieved 505 CLABSI free days in NES ICU and CCU as of 31 January 2025. The project resulted in total cost savings of $59,862.46 for 14 cases of CLABSI.
Conclusion
The intervention successfully reduced CLABSI rates to zero in the targeted units, achieving significant cost savings and improving patient outcomes.
Lessons Learnt
Continuous staff education and training are crucial to maintaining awareness and reinforcing proper techniques. Empowering frontline staff to contribute ideas and periodic reviews of interventions are important for long-term success.
Keywords
CLABSI, Infection Control, ICU, Cardiac Care, Neurosurgery
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | National Healthcare Group |
Organization(s) Involved | Khoo Teck Puat Hospital |
Platform(s) | National Healthcare Group Quality Improvement |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Medical |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Infectious Diseases |
Project Lead(s) | Yu Yu Naing |
Project Member(s) | Venkatesan Kumaresh |
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Group Quality - nhggroup.QRM@nhghealth.com.sg