Cullman Regional achieves zero CLABSI infection rate

In its most recent update, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Healthcare-associated Infections dataset reveals that Cullman Regional is one of only five Alabama hospitals to achieve a central line associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rate of zero.

The dataset, developed by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and collected through the National Healthcare Safety Network, is intended to help hospitals and healthcare regulatory agencies track progress and target areas that need improvement.

A CLABSI occurs when bacteria or other germs enter a patient’s central venous catheter, or central line, and then enter the bloodstream. According to the CDC these infections result in thousands of patient deaths each year, which is why most hospitals have robust quality assurance and patient safety programs that dictate certain precautions to prevent CLABSIs and other healthcare-associated infections.

“Quality of care and patient safety permeate our employee culture at Cullman Regional,” said chief medical officer Dr. William Smith. “By prioritizing these efforts and working across departments as a collaborative team, we’re able to provide excellent care for our patients.”

Cullman Regional’s quality assurance and patient safety initiatives have resulted in several notable achievements in addition to a zero CLABSI rate. The hospital is recognized by CMS Hospital Compare as a Top 10% Performer in the nation for sepsis care and Cullman Regional’s ER consistently beats state and national benchmarks for time-sensitive stroke and heart attack diagnosis and treatment.