Published by the Society of Critical Care Medicine
Takashima, Mari, RN, BN, Grad Cert ICU, MEpi1; Schults, Jessica, RN, GCert (Specialist Paed), MAppSci (Research)1,2,3; Mihala, Gabor, MEng, GCert(Biostats)1,4,5; Corley, Amanda, RN, BN, GradCertHSci, MAdvPrac (Research)1; Ullman, Amanda, RN, MAppSci, PhD, Centaur Fellow1,3
When looking at central venous access devices that are used in adult intensive care, complications and failure is a pressing issue. According to this study, the rate of central line-associated bloodstream infections was 4.59 per 1,000 catheter days, with 17 percent of central venous access devices removed due to a suspected infection. This significant issue can cause patient harm and increased costs for adult ICU’s. However, the high number of devices removed due to suspicion of infection compared to the low overall central line and catheter-related bloodstream infection rates shows a need for education and practice guidelines to instruct effective decision making having to do with the removal of central venous access devices due to possible infection.
Our goal is to educate those inserting these devices with our classes specializing in CLABSI reduction programs.