NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan Achieves Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection Rate of Zero
Metropolitan Hospital is one of 338 hospitals nationwide to earn this distinguished recognition of infection prevention and safety Designation reflects performance reported through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Healthcare Safety Network, the nation’s most comprehensive infection surveillance system
Dec 10, 2025
New York, NY – NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan announced today that it has earned national recognition for achieving a central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rate of zero — one of 338 hospitals nationwide to reach this significant distinction. The achievement is based on data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) metrics, which benchmark hospital safety and infection prevention nationwide and reflects performance reported through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Healthcare Safety Network, the nation’s most comprehensive infection surveillance system.
“The expertise and dedication of Metropolitan’s interdisciplinary teams continue to set the standard for patient safety nationwide,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan Chief Executive Officer, Julian S. John, MPA. “This important recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering reliable, patient-centered care across every unit.”
Achieving a CLABSI rate of zero requires hospitals to have a strong, facility-wide focus on evidence-based clinical practices, precise central line insertion and maintenance techniques, and strict adherence to infection-prevention standards. This involves collaboration across the institution — spanning infection prevention, nursing, critical care, and quality — to regularly assess device necessity, conduct maintenance audits, improve documentation, and reinforce sterile procedures.
The Healthcare-Associated Infections data, collected by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services from October 2023 through September 2024, shows how often patients acquire infections during inpatient stays compared to similar hospitals. These measures apply to all patients treated in acute care hospitals, including adult, pediatric, neonatal, Medicare, and non-Medicare patients.
In today’s health care environment, the rise of complex infections poses evolving and persistent challenges. Hospitals must continually enhance infection prevention strategies to ensure timely interventions and improved outcomes. Metropolitan Hospital’s performance reflects this ongoing effort and its continual improvements in staff training, monitoring, and protocols to strengthen infection prevention and patient safety.
“Achieving a zero CLABSI rate speaks to the clinical excellence driving our infection prevention efforts, where robust protocols, real-time surveillance, and interdisciplinary collaboration are critical to advancing the quality of care for every patient,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan Chief Quality Officer, Maria Castaldi, MD, FACS.
“Our success in preventing central line–associated bloodstream infections demonstrates the power of a robust quality-improvement infrastructure that prioritizes patient safety at every level,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan Chief Medical Officer, Anitha Srinivasan, MD, MPH, FACS.
“This accomplishment reflects the expertise and dedication of our frontline teams, whose focus on continuous education, precision in care, and unwavering patient advocacy helps ensure the highest standards of safety for each patient in our care,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan Chief Nursing Officer, Christopher G. Wilson, MSN, RN, CNML, CENP, NEA-BC, FACHE.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Domonique Chaplin, chaplind@nychhc.org, (212) 423-7782
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About NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan
NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan is a 338-bed facility serving East Harlem and surrounding communities. Known historically as the primary health care provider in El Barrio, Metropolitan delivers high-quality, compassionate care to over 400,000 clinic visits and more than 60,000 emergency room visits annually. The hospital is a designated Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) Center of Excellence and a recognized “Leader in LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality” by the Human Rights Campaign. Since 2021, the hospital has been ranked #1 in New York State for health equity and inclusivity across all categories by the Lown Institute. Metropolitan has earned numerous honors, including the AORN, Beacon, Lantern, and Pathway to Excellence with Distinction awards, and national recognition in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals list. With a legacy spanning 150 years, Metropolitan maintains the nation’s oldest municipal hospital-medical school affiliation through its longstanding partnership with New York Medical College. https://www.nychealthandhospitals.org/locations/metropolitan
About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest municipal health care system in the nation serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlus health plan—all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 46,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
