In healthcare settings, hospital-acquired infections continue to be a major area of concern, particularly those associated with vascular access devices. A noteworthy focus herein lies in bloodstream infections stemming from the use of such devices. With clinicians inserting hundreds of millions of peripheral intravenous catheters, known as PIVCs, annually; even if the risk for infection is relatively marginal for each, the sheer magnitude brings them under significant scrutiny in matters of patient safety and financial implications.
An unconventional report from AHA Trailblazers, titled ‘Small Things Matter in Infection Prevention,’ delves into how an expansion in surveillance programs beyond merely central lines to incorporate all vascular access devices is being pursued by healthcare organizations. The presentation underlines the importance of coordinating the right personnel, honing processes, and implementing appropriate technology. This synergic approach paves the way to curb catheter-associated bloodstream infections (CABSIs) and mitigate hospital-onset bacteremia (HOBs).
An admirable instance of translating research to practical healthcare measures comes from UC San Diego Health. Infection preventionist Aryeh Feldheim showcased that infection risks related to PIVCs were virtually equivalent to those originating from central lines. His team introduced standardized maintenance bundles, incorporated PIVC inspections into daily routines, and expeditiously integrated interdisciplinary reviews post-infection occurrences. These enactments resulted in minimizing the need for unnecessary IVs, consequently fortifying the culture of safety across the whole system.
Another exemplar in this area of concern is the Baylor Scott & White Health, where the team discovered bloodstream infections from PIVCs to be more frequent than those from central lines. Nurse manager Max Holder spearheaded the systemwide implementation of two evidence-based PIVC bundles. These efforts were bolstered by new staff training, simulation evaluations, and contemporaneous data dashboards. This quest for improved care resulted in increased uniformity in IV care, lowered infection-related costs, and further consolidated the system’s ‘zero-harm’ commitment towards patient safety.