When preventing infection, make sure every step counts

Of all patients admitted to hospitals, 90%1 of them require an IV catheter. Although it is one of the most standard procedures, standardized best practices are not always followed. Every year, 960,0002 vascular access related infections occur in Europe alone.

Efficient practices help close the door on infection

Studies have consistently shown that maintaining standardized practices make a difference in infection prevention and are proven to reduce CLABSI rates by up to 70%3.

A standardized process breaks down the complex procedure into steps that are easy to follow and ensures that each step is carried out with the most efficiency, leaving little room for distraction and reducing the chance of error.

Hospitals can support staff by providing visual aids – such as posters that display illustrated steps to quickly refresh the memory and guide medical staff. Additionally, SOP apps can help train staff and lead them to greater compliance of standardized practices.

Dr. Heide Niesalla, Hartmann Science Center
"Nurses are very well educated in the technical steps of peripheral venous catheterization. But sometimes the procedure feels so routine, some details about infection prevention get forgotten. It helps to have reminders.
For example, where to put the products after you open the packaging. Or when to disinfect your hand once again. Standardized best practices combined with pre-packed infusion sets support the nursing staff in their daily work."

Guidance for peripheral venous catheterization

When an IV catheter is administered, dozens of points of contact between patient, nurse and device can occur. Each touch represents an opportunity for asepsis breach.

While medical staff are well educated on the technical steps of a peripheral venous catheterization, working conditions can affect outcomes. Staff turnover combined with quick patient hand-offs or other clinical emergencies can distract a medical professional. It’s during such moments of inattention, a nurse may stray from standardized practices.

Rather than hope for an ad-hoc solution in the moment, medical professionals can find ways to sustainably strengthen their standard practices. For instance, by referring to evidence-based guidance and SOPs for the vascular access procedure, followed up with training and visual aids to help support compliance. Additionally, there are apps like My Hygiene SOP app than can help train staff and lead them to greater compliance of standardized practices.

Download the "Overview and guidance for peripheral venous catheterization" poster


Preventing CLABSI in vascular access procedures

There are many circumstances which make fighting infection a daily struggle. However, it doesn’t have to be an uphill battle. Infection is preventable!

Medical care centers and hospitals can support staff by adopting outcome-oriented solutions. These combine sterile, easy-to-use, pre-packed MediSet® infusion sets with training and digital aids to support a high level of adherence to aseptic techniques and standardized protocols.

Let us work together with you to tailor solutions to your medical establishment, bringing your tactics for infection prevention to a new level of effectiveness and safety.


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Sources
1 Helm RE, Klausner JD, Klemperer JD, Flint LM, Huang E. Accepted but unacceptable: peripheral IV catheter failure. J Infus Nurs 2015; 38(3): 189-203. DOI: 10.1097/NAN.0000000000000100
2 https://www.ijidonline.com/article/S1201-9712(19)30184-5/fulltext#bib0085
3 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318126083_Improving_central_line_maintenance_to_reduce_central_line-associated_bloodstream_infections