Background

An estimated 250,000 central-line associated blood stream infections (CLABSIs) occur in hospitals each year, and as many as 62,000 patients who get these infections die as a result. HRET, through a contract with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), and in partnership with the Johns Hopkins University Quality and Safety Research Group and the Keystone Center for Patient Safety and Quality of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association will implement in over 100 hospitals in 10 states nationwide a patient safety program proven to dramatically reduce CLABSI.

The project will replicate the success of Michigan hospitals by implementing the Comprehensive Unit-Based Safety Program (CUSP) and other targeted interventions. HRET and our partners will work with consortia of 10 state hospital associations, quality improvement organizations, and public health agencies, and at least 10 participating hospitals from each of the 10 states. The ten states will join the project in three waves, or "cohorts." 

A key goal is to build capacity at the state level. The project will develop a diverse group of state hospital associations and hospitals that have received training and are implementing the CUSP/CLABSI patient safety program. The project leaders are John Combes, MD, principal investigator, and Peter Pronovost, MD, PhD, co-principal investigator.