PDI Visual Resource Highlights How Proper Disinfection Can Reduce CLABSIs

PDI, a leader in infection prevention products and solutions, has released an infographic that highlights the proper steps for disinfecting needleless access sites (i.e., needleless connectors, injection ports, and access ports) for vascular access and evidence based practices to help reduce the risk of contamination. This tool is part of a larger effort to raise awareness for central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs), and promote practices to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs.    In today's struggle with healthcare acquired infections, CLABSIs present one of the critical challenges for facilities and healthcare professionals.  There are an average of 250,000 CLABSIs in the United States each year, with reported mortality of 12 to 25 percent, according to the CDC (Vital Signs: Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections---United States, 2001, 2008, and 2009, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011).     The visual guide emphasizes the practical solutions for disinfection of needleless access sites to help reduce risk of contamination versus the incomplete solutions which do not fully address the scope of the practice issue. It also demonstrates the importance of using products that contain chlorhexidine gluconate/isopropyl alcohol for the disinfection of needleless access sites in an effort to reduce the number of contaminations.     "While there are multiple ways a patient can get a central line-associated bloodstream infection, we do know that 12 percent are a result of needleless access site contamination," says Anne Pollak, senior product manager at PDI. "It's up to facilities to implement the best protocols to reduce the risk of infections for their patients and ultimately improve patient outcomes. Following these very practical solutions can go a long way in helping facilities keep their patients safe from CLABSIs. "    Source: PDI