Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI)

What is this article about?

A central line, like the name implies, is a catheter that gains direct entry into the bloodstream with the tip of the line sitting either within the superior vena cava or inferior vena cava, or within one of the great vessels of the neck. As a result of its central location, this type of catheter can occasionally allow pathogens to gain direct entry into the bloodstream. If this occurs, because of the location of the catheter, patients become unwell very quickly.