Programme

Session 4.1.3

Enhancing central-line-associated bloodstream infection prevention: evaluating enhanced strategies in an academic medical centre in Singapore

Date: 14 Oct 2026 | Time: 1325 - 1345 | Venue: The NAK Auditorium, Academia

Speaker: ANC Ji Xiaoye

Background: Whilst insertion and maintenance bundles serve as essential preventive measures for central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs), the efficacy of enhanced strategies such as chlorhexidine-impregnated dressings and alcohol impregnated port protectors remains relatively unexplored on a hospital-wide scale. This study evaluates the impact of implementing 2% chlorhexidine gluconate-impregnated (CHG) dressings and 70% isopropyl alcohol-impregnated (IPA) port protectors in reducing CLABSI risks across academic medical centre in Singapore.

Methods: Singapore General Hospital expanded CHG dressing hospital wide in January 2021. Additionally, IPA port protectors were implemented hospital wide in September 2021. The incidence rates of CLABSI per 1000 central line (CL)-days were monitored to evaluate outcomes.

Results: From November 2017 to January 2020 (baseline period), the CLABSI incidence rate was 0.81. For the period February 2021 to September 2021, prior to the implementation of IPA port protectors, the rate decreased to 0.53. The rate further declined to 0.45 from October 2021 to December 2024 (postimplementation of both strategies), representing a statistically significant reduction (P<0.001).

Conclusion: Our experience demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in CLABSI rates following the 3-year implementation of CHG dressings and IPA port protectors as part of routine hospital-wide preventive measures against CLABSI.

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