Emerg Infect DiseidEmerging Infectious Diseases1080-60401080-6059Centers for Disease Control112947262631697Research ArticleCost-effective infection control success story: a case presentation.SlaterF.fslater@tmh.tmc.eduThe Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA.Mar-Apr200172293294

In a surgical intensive care unit, the 1996-1997 incidence of central catheter-associated bloodstream infections exceeded that of hospitals participating in the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System. Interventions were implemented, and a cost-benefit analysis was done that led to hiring a vascular catheter care nurse. Subsequent outcome data demonstrated a substantial reduction in central catheter-associated bloodstream infections.