3 Essential Factors for Reducing Vascular Access Infection Risk

Incorporate industry standards. Implementing clinical standards from well-respected governing bodies can help your facility operate using the most rigorously researched best practices. In order to implement these standards, you have to know when they’re updated and be able to identify what’s new.

Early in 2016, the Infusion Nurses Society issued its revised Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice with prescriptive steps detailing the expanded use of chlorhexidine gluconate, passive disinfecting caps, and dressing securement to prevent dislodgement.

Use evidence-based technology. Effective, scientifically-proven products can support your staff as they aim to reduce infections. Products that are easy to use and designed to help clinicians comply with industry best practices and standards should be given preference for crucial patient care tasks such as securing catheters and protecting IV lines from contamination. Explore the published research to identify products that have been clinically proven to help reduce infection risks.

As with any infection prevention mission, there is no magic bullet. But using an integrated approach of training and supporting staff, following the most recent industry standards, and using modern technology will better position you and your facility for success.

Pat Parks is the medical director for 3M Critical and Chronic Care Solutions Division. His passion and responsibilities include research and technologies related to catheter-related bloodstream infections and wound healing. He is also an adjunct associate professor in the department of experimental and clinical pharmacology at the University of Minnesota. For more information about reducing vascular access infection risks, visit 3MSM Health Care Academy at 3M.com/LearnVAI. 

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Making health care safer. CDC Vital Signs https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/pdf/2011-03-vitalsigns.pdf

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2016). 2014 national and state healthcare-associated infections progress report.

Zimlichman, E., Henderson, D., et al. (2013) Health care-associated infections: A meta-analysis of costs and financial impact on the us health care system. JAMA Intern Med. Dec 9-23;173(22):2039–2046