Background and Aims Central line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) have a higher incidence in the intensive care units of developing countries. Materials and Methods The baseline CLABSI rate in intensive care unit (ICU) was evaluated for 6 months. An educational program for nurses on basic hand hygiene steps was conducted. Objective assessment tests were done to assess their knowledge and percentage of non-compliance with hand hygiene practice. CLABSI rate over the post-intervention 6 month period was assessed. Results Thirty-four nurses were enrolled. The pre-intervention CLABSI rate was 12.5 per 1000 catheter days, pretest score 15.9 +/− 3.35 and 53.4% opportunities for hand hygiene were missed. Post workshop, there was significant (p=0.02) decrease in CLABSI rate i.e. 8.6, improvement in test score 17.76 +/− 2.1 ( p =0.011) and missed opportunities decreased to 33.75%. 6 months post intervention, percentage of noncompliance with hand hygiene practice were 51.75% and test score was 17 ± 2. Discussion The effectiveness of educational program on hand hygiene compliance was reflected in the improvement of posttest score, reduced number of missed opportunities and reduction of CLABSI rates in ICU. The posttest scores and hand hygiene compliance, however, decreased 6 months post-intervention necessitating repeated feedbacks and reminders. Conclusion Educational interventions on hand hygiene can have a significant impact in CLABSI control particularly in ICUs with a high infection rate and resource constraints. How to cite this article Acharya Ranjita, Mishra SB, Ipsita S, Azim A. Impact of Nursing Education on CLABSI Rates: An Experience from a Tertiary Care Hospital in Eastern India. Indian J Crit Care Med 2019;23(7):316–319.

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Objective: Endogenous production of glutamine may be reduced during critical illness. The shortage of glutamine is reflected as a decrease in plasma concentration, which is a prognostic factor for outcome in sepsis. Therefore, we have studied the effect of enteral or parenteral glutamine therapy on biochemical parameters and the hospital stay of critically ill patients.Methods: A total of 66 critically ill patients aged 18-70 years, admitted to central and medical intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital were randomly divided into three equal groups; 22 in each group: Group 1 (control group) received no glutamine, Group 2 received oral glutamine 0.5 g/kg/d for 5 days, and Group 3 received parenteral glutamine 0.5 g/kg/d by intravenous infusion for 5 days. All patients received glutamine-free tube feed throughout the study period. Total leukocyte count (TLC), total lymphocyte count, total protein and serum albumin, serum lactate, and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score were recorded on each day for 7 days and were compared.Results: Decrease in the TLC and increase in lymphocyte count was most evident in Group 3 compared to Groups 2 and 1 which was statistically significant. Decrease in serum lactate and increase in serum protein and albumin was maximum in Group 3 compared to Groups 1 and 2 which was statistically significant. The mean duration of hospital stay of Group 3 was the least followed by Groups 2 and 1 which was statistically not significant. There was an improvement in SOFA score in all the three groups.Conclusion: Parenteral glutamine in a dose of 0.5 g/kg/d was more potent than oral glutamine in improving the biochemical parameters. The duration of hospital stay was similar in all the groups after treatment.