An evidence-based bundle improves the quality of care and outcomes of patients with candidaemia

[Background] Candidaemia is a leading cause of bloodstream infections in hospitalized patients all over the world. It remains associated with high mortality.
[Objectives] To assess the impact of implementing an evidence-based package of measures (bundle) on the quality of care and outcomes of candidaemia.
[Methods] A systematic review of the literature was performed to identify measures related to better outcomes in candidaemia. Eight quality-of-care indicators (QCIs) were identified and a set of written recommendations (early treatment, echinocandins in septic shock, source control, follow-up blood culture, ophthalmoscopy, echocardiography, de-escalation, length of treatment) was prospectively implemented. The study was performed in 11 tertiary hospitals in Spain. A quasi-experimental design before and during bundle implementation (September 2016 to February 2018) was used. For the pre-intervention period, data from the prospective national surveillance were used (May 2010 to April 2011).
[Results] A total of 385 and 263 episodes were included in the pre-intervention and intervention groups, respectively. Adherence to all QCIs improved in the intervention group. The intervention group had a decrease in early (OR 0.46; 95% CI 0.23–0.89; P = 0.022) and overall (OR 0.61; 95% CI 0.4–0.94; P = 0.023) mortality after controlling for potential confounders.
[Conclusions] Implementing a structured, evidence-based intervention bundle significantly improved patient care and early and overall mortality in patients with candidaemia. Institutions should embrace this objective strategy and use the bundle as a means to measure high-quality medical care of patients.