Each year 19,000 patients get admitted to ICU's in New Zealand.  Approximately 50% of these patients have a **Central Line in situ.   

The mortality rate from CLAB has been estimated to be between 10 and 50% and hospital acquired bloodstream infections prolong hospitalisation by an average of 7 days. CLAB infections are also a significant cost to the healthcare system with the cost of each CLAB estimated to be between $NZ 20,000 and $54,000.

CLAB impacts ICUs all over NZ and indeed around the world.  With this in mind the aim of the CLAB collaborative, sponsored by the HQSC will provide up to 24 ICUs in NZ with the quality improvement methodology and tools they need to reduce the rate of CLAB in their units towards zero (<1 per 1000 line days) by 2013.  The end result will be safer patient care, shorter stays in ICU, and reduced cost – which can be spent on healthcare improvements.

 So far 11 ICU’s are on board with more anticipated to sign-up in the coming weeks. 

“We have been really lucky to have much of the ground work done for us,” says Shawn Sturland, ICU Clinical Leader at Capital Coast DHB and spokesperson for the CLAB Collaborative.  “For example there is a lot of evidence (local and international) that tells us what the problems are and where the gaps in practice may be.   We also have a tried and proven methodology of reducing CLAB locally, thanks to the successful implementation of the Central Line Bundle at Middlemore.  The great thing about this programme is that it can be adapted to any ICU in NZ.” 

The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) in Boston have also shared their expertise and support, and for the past two weeks, coaching and training healthcare professionals from all over NZ in the world renowned IHI improvement methodology.

The CLAB Collaborative will be launched at a two day Learning Session from 28-29 November.  This will bring representatives from the participating ICUs together to work on the collaborative methodology, improvement science and measurement. 

The Collaborative will also provide an opportunity for health professionals around New Zealand to access and contribute to a National Data Base for the collection, analysis and sharing of information.

For further information contact Suzanne Proudfoot, CLAB Projects and Campaigns Manager, Ko Awatea - Centre for Health System Innovation and Improvement, Telephone  (09) 276 0044  . Ext: 6624, Mobile:  021 824 075

 *The CLAB Prevention Programme includes an insertion and maintenance bundle, a central line insertion pack and data capture. 

* A Central Line is any bloodstream catheter that terminates in a great vessel (includes the subclavian vein). They may be either centrally or peripherally inserted.