EPIQ Review

A checklist that promotes compliance with aseptic technique during line insertion is a component of many care bundles aimed at reducing nosocomial infections among intensive care unit patients.

To determine whether the use of bundled interventions that include a checklist during central-line insertions reduces catheter-related bloodstream infections in intensive care unit patients.

A literature review was performed using methodology adapted from the American Heart Association's International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation.

Seventeen cohort studies were included. Thirteen studies were supportive of the intervention, while four were neutral. Infection rates ranged from 1.6 to 10.8 per 1000 central-line days in control groups, and from 0.0 to 3.8 per 1000 central-line days in the intervention groups.

There is fair evidence to recommend the use of care bundles that include a checklist during central-line insertion in intensive care unit patients to reduce the incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infections.