ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of an evidence-based intervention to prevent catheter-associated bloodstream infections among intensive care unit patients at a nonteaching, community hospital.DesignNonrandomized pre/post observational trial.SettingTwo intensive care units at Missouri Baptist Medical Center, Saint Louis, MO.ParticipantsNurses and critical care physicians.InterventionA ten-page, self-study module on the prevention of catheter-associated bloodstream infections, lectures, and posters given between July and September 1999.MeasurementsThe incidence of nosocomial catheter-associated bloodstream infection and patient demographics were measured for patients admitted between March 1998 and July 2000.Main ResultsThirty cases of catheter-associated bloodstream infections during 6110 catheter-days were noted in the preintervention period (4.9 cases/1000 catheter-days) vs. 11 cases during the 5210 catheter-days in the postintervention period (2.1 cases/1000 catheter-days). The relative risk for catheter-associated infection in the postintervention period was 0.43 (95% confidence interval, 0.22–0.84). Among catheterized patients, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score (25.2 preintervention vs. 25.1 postintervention;p= .86), hemodialysis (91 of 647 [14%] patients vs. 69 of 541 [13%];p= .70), and the mean number of catheter days per patient (9.1 vs. 9.6 days;p= .46) did not differ between the pre- and postintervention periods.ConclusionsA focused, educational intervention among nurses and physicians in a nonteaching community hospital resulted in a significant, sustained reduction in the incidence of catheter-associated bloodstream infection.