Implementation of tailored interventions in a statewide programme to reduce central line-associated bloodstream infections

Summary Background There have been few studies exploring implementation strategies to central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) in low- or middle-income countries. Aim To implement tailored interventions to reduce CLABSI rates in adult intensive care units. Methods The implementation strategy of the State Health Department was performed in Sao Paulo State, Brazil, over two cycles. Cycle 1 (56 hospitals) was exploratory and cycle 2 (77 hospitals) was designed to confirm the hypothesis generated by the first cycle, with three phases each (pre-intervention, intervention, post-intervention). Cycles included: evaluation of healthcare workers' knowledge, observation of practices, and CLABSI rates monthly report. In cycle 1, a log–normal mixed model was used to select variables significantly associated with the reduction of CLABSI. In cycle 2, CLABSI rates were evaluated. Findings Healthcare workers' practices improved after intervention. In cycle 1, reduction of CLABSI rates was more pronounced in hospitals with initial CLABSI rates >7.4 per 1000 catheter-days ( P P  = 0.01). For hospitals with high CLABSI initial rates, simulation demonstrated that the rates were expected to decrease by 36% (95% CI: 9–63), no matter the type of intervention. In cycle 2, there was an overall decrease in CLABSI rates during the intervention period; whereas the mean rate fell further post-intervention, rates at the 90 th percentile increased. Conclusion The implementation strategy may have had an effect on infection rates independently of the specific interventions implemented; however, the sustainability of reduction in the post-intervention period remains a challenge.