Daily bathing of pediatric patients with disposable cloths containing 2 percent chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) reduced central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) by 59 percent and saved approximately $300,000 in one hospital over a six-month period, according to a new study.
The study, to be presented on June 27 at the 42nd Annual Conference of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), examined the impact of implementing a daily CHG bathing protocol for all pediatric patients at Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health.
CHG is an antimicrobial that kills germs on a patient’s skin for a prolonged period of time.
Previously, the hospital used CHG for daily bathing to reduce CLABSIs in the hematology/oncology unit with marked success. This prompted the team to consider implementation of this practice hospital-wide, regardless of whether patients had central line catheters.
The infection prevention team worked with nursing staff, parents, and hospital leadership to develop a comprehensive educational program to adopt daily CHG bathing for all patients, and to strengthen adherence to a bundle of prevention practices already in place for patients with central lines. In addition to daily bathing with CHG-impregnated wipes, the strategies included daily linen changes, assessment of central line dressings, appropriate technique for giving medications, and regular tubing and cap changes on the lines.
A central line catheter is a tube placed in a large vein of a patient’s neck or chest to give fluid, blood, or medication. It can be an entryway for germs to get inside the body.
“We took great care to ensure successful implementation of the new bathing regimen,” says Adam N. Karcz, MPH, CPH, CIC, infection preventionist at Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health in Indianapolis. “Our executive suite and unit managers made sure all staff understood that this was a priority. By educating everyone on the care team-including parents-and standardizing bathing procedures, we were able to dramatically reduce infections and save healthcare dollars in just six months.”
Bathing compliance increased from 45 percent to 81 percent during the six-month study period. During the control period-six months prior to implementation-the 269-bed hospital had 22 CLABSIs. During the implementation period, the number dropped to nine CLABSIs. The hospital also experienced a 56 percent drop in the number of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections during this time period. The reduction in healthcare-associated infections during the implementation period represents a potential cost savings of $297,999.
APIC 2015 Annual Conference, June 27-29 in Nashville, Tenn., is the most comprehensive infection prevention conference in the world, with more than 100 educational sessions and workshops led by infection prevention experts and attended by nearly 5,000 individuals. The conference aims to provide infection preventionists, doctors, researchers, epidemiologists, educators, administrators, and medical technologists with tools and strategies that are easily adaptable and can be implemented immediately to improve prevention programs. Join the conversation online with the hashtag #APIC2015.
Reference: Oral Abstract #013 – Daily Bathing of Pediatric Inpatients with Chlorhexidine Gluconate to Prevent Hospital Acquired Infections
Source: APIC
Dear Helpdesk: Working in a Toxic Health Care Environment
March 28th 2024Dear Helpdesk is your steadfast companion, offering life coaching and workplace advice from 2 seasoned IPs for some of your most challenging real-life situations. Let us help you navigate the intersection between work and life, guiding you to navigate the dynamic world of infection prevention with confidence and grace. This article is on handling a toxic health care environment.
Product Locator: Spring and Early Mother's Day Gift Guide for Infection Prevention Personnel
March 27th 2024Whether it's a spring holiday, birthdays, or no reason at all, infection prevention personnel love to give and receive gifts that help at the end of a stressful day. Infection Control Today® offers some gift ideas for infection prevention personnel and their families.
Catching Up With Vangie Dennis, AORN 2022-2023 President at AORN 2024
March 26th 2024Infection Control Today (ICT) had the privilege of catching up with Vangie Dennis, MSN, RN, CNOR, CMLSO, at the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses' (AORN’s) International Surgical Conference & Expo 2024. As the former president of AORN and an esteemed figure in perioperative services, Vangie Dennis shared insights into her recent endeavors and the exciting new chapter she's embarked upon.
How To Optimize Your Time Management Strategies for the Busy Infection Preventionist
March 25th 2024Is your calendar resembling a chaotic masterpiece of overlapping tasks? Join the club of infection preventionists striving to balance responsibilities. Dive into proven strategies from a fellow infection preventionist to reclaim control of your time, streamline tasks, and boost productivity effectively. This is an IP Lifeline article.