Dignity Health Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Marks Five Years of Zero Central Line Infections, Demonstrating National Leadership in Patient Safety

GRASS VALLEY, CA. – January 8, 2026 – Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital (SNMH) today announced a significant milestone in patient safety: five consecutive years without a single Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection (CLABSI). This outstanding achievement demonstrates SNMH’s commitment to providing the highest quality of care and its ongoing dedication to protect patients from preventable complications.

Central Lines are special tubes that doctors put into a large vein in the body, often in the neck, chest, or groin. These tubes can stay in for a longer time than a regular IV and are used to give medicine, fluids or nutrition, or to take blood samples. CLABSIs are serious and potentially life-threatening infections that can occur when they are in place. Nationally, CLABSIs contribute to significant patient morbidity and mortality, with estimated mortality rates 12-15% higher for affected patients. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) estimates approximately 28,000 CLABSIs occur annually in the United States, carrying an average cost of $46,000 per patient (NIH 2022).

SNMH's journey to zero CLABSIs took on renewed urgency during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-22), when national and regional trends showed an increase in these infections due to a higher number of patients requiring central lines and extended usage. In response to these trends, SNMH leadership initiated a comprehensive, multidisciplinary strategy focused on proactive prevention.

"Achieving five years without a CLABSI is a testament to the dedication and integrity of every single member of the SNMH team," said SNMH President and CEO Scott Neeley, MD. "This wasn't just about following safety protocols; it was about deeply embedding a culture of prevention at our hospital and continuously seeking ways to enhance patient safety."

The success is attributed to a multi-pronged approach that included:

• Daily Monitoring and Assessment: A multidisciplinary team meticulously monitored each patient’s central line necessity, focusing on early discontinuation as soon as their condition stabilized.
• Strict Adherence to Evidence-Based Practices: Impeccable hand hygiene and aseptic central line care remained top of mind.
• Focus on Early Discontinuation: Recognizing that CLABSIs can only occur when a central line is present, the team prioritized the timely removal of central lines when no longer medically necessary.
• Embracing New Technologies and Evolving Care: Including integration of best practices informed by advancements in medical technology and research.

This exceptional achievement reflects the collective effort across all hospital specialties. From the skilled clinical teams at the bedside to the essential support of ancillary departments, every individual played a crucial role in maintaining an infection-free environment.

"We've shifted our focus from simply discussing infection rates to celebrating success rates and, more importantly, the lives saved," added Dr. Tyler Hill, Chief Medical Officer at SNMH. "The principles that have driven our CLABSI prevention success are now being applied to other measured infections, contributing to an overall culture of safety that benefits all our patients."

This commitment to prevention has garnered significant external recognition for SNMH. The hospital has consistently earned an “A” Safety Grade from patient safety watchdog The Leapfrog Group, along with Top Rural Hospital honors for three consecutive years. Each of these honors is directly influenced by SNMH's outstanding prevention achievements and the resulting positive patient outcomes.

SNMH remains dedicated to innovation and continuous improvement, striving to maintain its excellent patient safety record and serve as a beacon of high-quality healthcare for the Nevada County community.

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About Dignity Health California 
Dignity Health California is a nonprofit network of over 9000 physicians, more than 35,000 employees, 29 acute care hospitals, and 200-plus care-centers, including community hospitals, urgent care, surgery and imaging centers, home health, and primary care clinics. Dignity Health California provides award-winning care to communities in five primary markets across the state: North State, Sacramento, Central Valley, Central Coast, and Southern California. 

Dignity Health is a member of CommonSpirit Health, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit Catholic healthcare organizations, dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality, and affordable patient-centered care with special attention to the poor and underserved. Learn more at DignityHealth.org and CommonSpirit.org.