Abstract (300 words maximum)
It is estimated that around 250,000 central line infections occur each year. Oncology patients with central lines are at high risk for acquiring these central line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI’s). Due to the extensive amount of treatment oncology patients are often undergoing, including chemotherapy and radiation, these patients are extremely immunocompromised to begin with. With the high risk of infection, having an invasive central line can be dangerous especially if the infection spreads to the bloodstream. Hospitals worldwide are aiming to reduce these infections through the use of antimicrobial coated catheters, antimicrobial lock therapy, as well as extensive cleaning and care protocols, which can significantly reduce the risk of infection. The purpose of this project is to see if formal education of nursing staff regarding assessment and care of central lines can decrease the number of central line infections on a specific unit in metro Atlanta over the course of 3 months. This formal education will be for all of the staff and travel nurses on the unit and will be an in person informational session. The incidence of central line infection cases will be collected over the course of 3 months, with the goal being to reduce the number of CLASBI’s currently averaging 3 a month, to 0. Conclusions will include assessing the number of infections present on the unit at the end of the three-month period.
Keywords: CLASBI, oncology, infection, antimicrobial lock therapy, education, central line
Academic department under which the project should be listed
WCHHS - Nursing
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Christie Emerson
Increasing Formal Education of Nursing Staff to Decrease the Incidence of Central Line Associated Bloodstream Infections in Oncology Patients
It is estimated that around 250,000 central line infections occur each year. Oncology patients with central lines are at high risk for acquiring these central line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI’s). Due to the extensive amount of treatment oncology patients are often undergoing, including chemotherapy and radiation, these patients are extremely immunocompromised to begin with. With the high risk of infection, having an invasive central line can be dangerous especially if the infection spreads to the bloodstream. Hospitals worldwide are aiming to reduce these infections through the use of antimicrobial coated catheters, antimicrobial lock therapy, as well as extensive cleaning and care protocols, which can significantly reduce the risk of infection. The purpose of this project is to see if formal education of nursing staff regarding assessment and care of central lines can decrease the number of central line infections on a specific unit in metro Atlanta over the course of 3 months. This formal education will be for all of the staff and travel nurses on the unit and will be an in person informational session. The incidence of central line infection cases will be collected over the course of 3 months, with the goal being to reduce the number of CLASBI’s currently averaging 3 a month, to 0. Conclusions will include assessing the number of infections present on the unit at the end of the three-month period.
Keywords: CLASBI, oncology, infection, antimicrobial lock therapy, education, central line