The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Healthcare-associated Infections dataset reveals that Cullman Regional is one of only five Alabama hospitals to achieve a central line associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rate of zero.

The dataset, developed by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and collected through the National Healthcare Safety Network, is intended to help hospitals and healthcare regulatory agencies track progress and target areas that need improvement.

A CLABSI occurs when bacteria or other germs enter a patient's central venous catheter, or central line, and then enters the bloodstream. According to the CDC, these infections result in thousands of patient deaths each year.

In addition to achieving a zero CLABSI infection rate, Cullman Regional has been recognized by CMS as a Top 10 percent Performer in the nation for sepsis care and the hospital’s ER consistently beats state and national benchmarks for time-sensitive stroke and heart attack diagnosis and treatment.