The presence of a unit-based quality nurse to perform patient safety and infection control activities helped reduce the rate of central line-associated blood stream infections on a surgical intensive care unit, according to a study published in the American Journal of Infection Control.
A quality nurse was present on the SICU for 30 percent of the days of the trial, which ran for 20 months.
Before the intervention, the average CLABSI rate was 5 per 1,000 central lines. The rate fell to 1.5 per 1,000 central lines after the intervention time, a 70 percent reduction.
Researchers estimate the presence of the unit quality nurse helped prevent approximately 11.4 CLABSIs during the trial period. They suggest a unit quality nurse may be an effective tool in CLABSI reduction efforts.
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A quality nurse was present on the SICU for 30 percent of the days of the trial, which ran for 20 months.
Before the intervention, the average CLABSI rate was 5 per 1,000 central lines. The rate fell to 1.5 per 1,000 central lines after the intervention time, a 70 percent reduction.
Researchers estimate the presence of the unit quality nurse helped prevent approximately 11.4 CLABSIs during the trial period. They suggest a unit quality nurse may be an effective tool in CLABSI reduction efforts.
More Articles on Infection Control:
HAI Transmission Through Clothing: 6 Ways to Reduce
Is Warm Water Necessary for Handwashing?
AHRQ Releases HAI & Design Supplement
