Capstone Project Topic Selection and Approval Project Topic With the collaboration of the authorized preceptor and assessment of current issues at the clinical practicum location, Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI) is the chosen topic for this capstone project. The evaluation revealed that this clinical site could benefit from meeting its zero CLABSI goal. CLABSI is among the most common hospital-acquired infections (HAI) in the USA. Despite substantial advancements in preventing HAI, much more work remains; approximately one in every 31 inpatients has an infection associated with hospital care at any time. Implementing robust infection monitoring and preventative measures has led to some success in HAI, though CLABSI still accounts for 9.9% of all primary bloodstream infections (Monegro, 2023). Clinical Settings The intervention will be carried out in an ICU step-down unit because patients admitted here are at risk of developing CLABSI compared to other departments where patients are not as ill and do not stay admitted for a long time for critical illnesses. Patients on this unit suffer from critical condition and require using central lines for a relatively extended period for treatment. Healthcare providers use central lines to administer medications and fluids, and peripheral nutrition. A CLABSI is a laboratory-confirmed bloodstream infection that develops unrelated to another infection. If the lines are not cared for following standards of care and not removed, timely disease-causing organisms can enter the bloodstream and cause infections. Presence of central lines for more than 48 hours, the patients are at a higher risk of developing CLABSI (Haddadin, 2022). Description of Project Healthcare-associated infections are widely known as one of the treatment's most widespread negative consequences. CLABSIs increase hospital stays, cost, mortality, and morbidity. An estimated 250,000 CLABSIs happen annually, most caused by intravascular devices (Haddadin, 2022). CLABSI poses severe patient risks and has a substantial financial burden for hospitals though CLABSI is preventable (Wei et al., 2021). Adverse events can be avoided by stopping unnecessary short-term central venous catheters. CLABSI has become a necessary qualitative marker and reportable incident across the United States (Tirumandas et al., 2020). CLABSIs increased by 7% between 2020 and 2021, primarily in ICU, an increase of 10% (CDC, 2023). CLABSI kills up to 28,000 patients in ICU units alone in the USA annually (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2022). Effects of the Issue CIABSI is an avoidable incident that can lead to detrimental results such as poor patient outcomes, avoidable hospital fines, prolonged hospitalization, rough patient recovery, stress for the whole family, long-term health complications, and mortality. An estimated 250,000 bloodstream infections happen yearly, most caused by intravascular devices (Haddadin, 2022). Based on research, the extra expense for HAI CLABSI to be $48,108; based on data from seven studies, CLABSI cost ranges from $18,000 to more than $90,000. (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2022). Proposed Solution and Nursing Practice Implications Investigating the reasons for bloodstream infection, especially lead by central lines, is crucial. Central venous catheterization is commonly used in critically ill patients, which can result in avoidable detrimental effects such as increased financial burden, mortality, and morbidity, thus prompting a close examination of the problem and interventions. Evaluating and implementing evidence-based care for central line and recommended CLABSI bundle prevention will lower fines, mortality, and morbidity rates and increase ideal patient outcomes and quality of life. Based on scientific evidence for CLABSI prevention, the CDC issued standards of care and introduced CLABSI bundle prevention (Burke et al., 2021). A care bundle is proposed to avoid CLABSI. The bundle will include various interventions. Creating opportunities for staff education, practicing skills, assuring implementation, and monitoring adherence to help broaden their knowledge and understanding of CLABSI. As said by Acharya et al. (2019), healthcare team members must alter their attitudes regarding the utilization of central lines and standards of care. Education, surveillance, practicing skills, following proper hand hygiene, central line and site care, using the checklist, and adhering to CLABSI bundle prevention will yield ideal results. All these will be implemented and enforced during clinical. Various and diverse educational interventions can reduce CLABSI rates. However, maintaining reduced CLABSI rates post-intervention, such as providing resources with support along with regular follow-ups, is essential to ensure adherence to standards of practice (Foka et al., 2021). Reference Acharya, R., Mishra, S., Ipsita, S., & Azim, A. (2019). Impact of Nursing Education on CLABSI Rates: Indian Journal of Critical Care Medicine, 23(7), 316-319. https://doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10071-23205 Agency for Health-care Research and Quality. (2022). Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI). https://www.ahrq.gov/topics/central-line-associated-bloodstream-infections-clabsi.html Burke, C., Jakub, K., & Kellar, I. (2021). Adherence to the central line bundle in intensive care: An integrative review. American Journal of Infection Control, 49(7), 937-956. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2020.11.014 CDC. (2023). Current HAI Progress Report | HAI | CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/hai/data/portal/progress-report.html