Preventing Catheter Related Blood Stream Infections in the NICU
Disciplines
Critical Care Nursing | Pediatric Nursing
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Several studies discuss ways to prevent healthcare associated infections (HAI’s) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). These range from hand hygiene to timely dressing changes for central catheters. Catheter related blood stream infections (CRBSI) are the most common HAI’s in the NICU. It has been proposed that regular dressing changes for central catheters have reduced the incidence of CRBSI. No significant findings showed a difference in the incidence of occlusion, leakage, and phlebitis between control groups and groups with routine dressing changes. Other interventions include prophylactic antibiotic administration, topical emollient administration, promotion of breastfeeding, scrubbing of catheter ports, and gowning for visitors. In the NICU, does the implementation of a nurse driven protocol for central venous catheter care compared with the current practices reduce central line associated blood stream infections? Evaluation of effectiveness for this study will include comparison of the rates of CRBSI pre and post intervention of protocol. The protocol will include topical emollient administration per shift, scrubbing the catheter ports each time before accessing them, keeping caps on the ports until the next time it needs to be accessed, gowns at the entrance of the NICU for each visitor to use, and talking points of the benefits of breastfeeding. Data will be collected from three NICUs from 2 years prior to the implementation of the nurse driven protocol and compared to the years after. Data will include check off sheets for the nurses, implementations used in the protocol, the rates of CRBSI from 2 years prior, and the rates of CRBSI 3, 6, and 12 months after implementation. Conclusions will include obstacles, comparison of the rates of the infections prior to and after the implemented protocol, and any non-modifiable factors. This study expands on preexisting interventions and proposes new ones to be added. The findings can potentially aid in reducing the risk of CRBSI in neonates, thus reducing mortality rates and further complications.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
Wellstar School of Nursing
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Felicia Lanier
Preventing Catheter Related Blood Stream Infections in the NICU
Several studies discuss ways to prevent healthcare associated infections (HAI’s) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). These range from hand hygiene to timely dressing changes for central catheters. Catheter related blood stream infections (CRBSI) are the most common HAI’s in the NICU. It has been proposed that regular dressing changes for central catheters have reduced the incidence of CRBSI. No significant findings showed a difference in the incidence of occlusion, leakage, and phlebitis between control groups and groups with routine dressing changes. Other interventions include prophylactic antibiotic administration, topical emollient administration, promotion of breastfeeding, scrubbing of catheter ports, and gowning for visitors. In the NICU, does the implementation of a nurse driven protocol for central venous catheter care compared with the current practices reduce central line associated blood stream infections? Evaluation of effectiveness for this study will include comparison of the rates of CRBSI pre and post intervention of protocol. The protocol will include topical emollient administration per shift, scrubbing the catheter ports each time before accessing them, keeping caps on the ports until the next time it needs to be accessed, gowns at the entrance of the NICU for each visitor to use, and talking points of the benefits of breastfeeding. Data will be collected from three NICUs from 2 years prior to the implementation of the nurse driven protocol and compared to the years after. Data will include check off sheets for the nurses, implementations used in the protocol, the rates of CRBSI from 2 years prior, and the rates of CRBSI 3, 6, and 12 months after implementation. Conclusions will include obstacles, comparison of the rates of the infections prior to and after the implemented protocol, and any non-modifiable factors. This study expands on preexisting interventions and proposes new ones to be added. The findings can potentially aid in reducing the risk of CRBSI in neonates, thus reducing mortality rates and further complications.