Interventions to Reduce Central Venous Catheter-Related Infections

Globalization of healthcare has seen the implementation of new medical technologies and methods like the central venous catheters. While such devices have proved to be substantially useful in managing hospitalized patients, the complex challenges associated with their use pose a significant danger of infections that result into mild health hazards, especially CLABSI (Central Line Associated Bloodstream Infection). The eminent dangers include challenged mortality and morbidity coped with increased healthcare costs (Ullman et al., 2013). In this respect, evidence based interventions such as hand hygiene; maximal sterilization and disinfection, fast removal of catheters and non-touch aseptic technique have been developed to curb increasing infections. Therefore, the following essay discusses different strategies which can be assimilated into clinical practices to reduce the rates of infection.

Change Model Overview

The ACE Star is a model of knowledge transformation that facilitates the understanding of the nature, cycles, and elements of knowledge used in different dimensions of evidence based practice. It depicts the relations between the various knowledge transformation stages while providing a framework for the systematic integration of EBP processes into functionality. Arguably, the model involves the stages of discovery research, a summary of evidence, translating to guidelines, integration of practice and evaluation of processes and outcomes (Ullman et al., 2013). Due to the relative ambiguity of modern healthcare, knowledge management is challenged by huge workloads, constant technological changes, increasing the complexity of healthcare conditions and resource limitations. Additionally, there is an increase in the incidence of infections stimulated by the use of central venous catheters. Because of the endangering burden poised to the healthcare community, nurses should employ the ACE model into interventions that aim to facilitate change (Perin et al., 2016).

Scope

Infections caused by the use of central venous catheters among hospitalized patients have risen alarmingly over the past years. The use of invasive processes in diagnosis or cure of patients complicates the control of infections. The central line associated bloodstream infection causes over 30% annual mortality. Moreover, some symptoms are highly infectious thus increasing the vulnerability of the entire patient population and the care workers to infection. Improper treatment of these infections increases multi-resistance implicating catastrophic health hazards. Notwithstanding is the huge cost of healthcare fabricated by the treatment of these infections (Ullman et al., 2013). Plausibly, infections caused by the use of central venous catheters challenge medical technology, the workforce, and patient-centered treatment. While medical technologies contribute to medical efficiency, nurses should ensure enforced patient safety to promote curative process (Perin et al., 2016).

Stakeholders

Research on infections caused by the use of central venous catheters involves various areas and specificities. From diagnostics to measurement to the evaluation of findings, this study will involve various members with different fields of specificity. The project will have a pharmacist for medical evaluation, a charge nurse to monitor patient progress and report the outcomes and a data analyst to evaluate and interpret different patterns in the results. Also, two medical practitioners will be present to assist in patient monitoring and administration of medication.

Evidence

Clinical infections are a significant deterrence to patient recovery. Over 25% of patients in intensive care units and blood transfer systems suffer from CLABSI that translates to 30% mortality rate. Sterilization and disinfection of hospital equipment reduce the incidence of infection hence declined mortality. Improved hand hygiene reduces infections. In addition, hospitals should employ the non-touch aseptic technique. Apparently, the use of new interventions in evidence based practice treatment reduces infections. While these interventions are substantially productive in treatment, challenges posted in the form of inadequate resources and knowledge limit efficient administration of treatment and preventive measures (Perin et al., 2016). This research attempts to suggest measures that can be used to balance these inadequacies while ensuring adequate interventions to prevent infections caused by the use of CVCs.

Summary of Evidence

Critically, sterilization and disinfection of CVCs reduces the pathogenic growth and spread of infections. In addition, maintenance of proper hand hygiene ensures clean handling of equipment hence less spread of pathogens. Arguably, nurses should make sure that prompt removal of catheters is done to reduce the chances of infection. Moreover, skin testing helps to prevent chances of skin-induced infections that affect patient health (Perin et al., 2016).

Recommendations

Evidence based programs are necessary to ease the recovery process. Additional research is necessary to ensure the development of the advanced technology of catheters to reduce the chances of infection. Nurses should develop health awareness programs that seek to educate about the need to prevent infections caused by the use of central venous catheters. Patients should be made increasingly aware of the dangers of such infections. Some intervention measures impose substantial costs on the patients. The government should work jointly with hospitals and nursing associations to reduce the charges imposed on hospital treatment of related infections (Perin et al., 2016).

Action Plan

The study will involve planning, gathering of the relevant materials and organization of personnel. Data will be collected from the selected population on which different intervention measures are imposed using interviews, questionnaires, and observation. After that, statistical software is used to compare, quantify and interpret the data in the form of charts. Results will be drawn based on the findings. The results will be presented in the form of graphs and tabulated columns. The entire duration of the research process is a maximum of one month.

Evaluation of Outcomes and Reporting

The main findings of the study are to demonstrate that sterilization and decontamination of equipment, proper hand hygiene, fast removal of catheters and non-touch aseptic method reduce the incidence of infections. Data on initial infections are compared against results when these interventions are enforced to determine the rate of change.

This plan will be applicable on a larger scale by investing more resources in new technologies and encouraging nurse educational and motivational programs and advancing this program to large institutional levels. The conclusions will be displayed through publications and electronic communication and posters.

Conclusion

Infections caused by CVCs increase the rate of mortality. Interventions such as sterilization and decontamination reduce infections. Incorporating plans through the integration of knowledge tools into practice helps in the prevention of diseases. Significantly, additional research is necessary to develop adequate intervention measures to reduce infections and promote successful healthcare.

References

Perin D.C., Erdmann, A.L., Higashi, G., Sasso, G. (2016). Evidence-based measures to prevent central line-associated bloodstream infections: a systematic review. Revista. Latino-Americana de Enfermagem. 2016; 24:e2787. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.1233.2787.

Ullman, A., Long, D., & Rickard, C. (2013). Prevention of central venous catheter infections: A survey of pediatric ICU nurses' knowledge and practice. Nurse Education Today. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2013.09.002.