Infection Prevention
Power Hour Breakout
.jpg "Russ Nassof, Jurisdoctorate photo")
Under-reported, under-recognized, and most often ignored are the infections associated with peripheral vascular access devices(PVADs) i.e. short peripheral catheters (SPC) and midline catheters (MC). However, that is soon to change with ECRI call out to the problem along with the impending Hospital Onset Bacteremia surveillance requirement. Consider the answers to these questions: Do you know your institution's Peripheral Vascular Access Device (PVAD) infection rate? How many of your CLABSIs are PVAD-BSIs? Why is clean technique acceptable for PVAD insertion when all other VADs are placed with sterile technique? What is the legal liability for PVAD-BSI when not using sterile technique? Is the use of MCs to avoid CLABSI in the best interest of the patient? Will clinically indicated removal of SPCs increase the risk for PVAD-BSI and what are the legal implications? These questions and more will be addressed in this session along with recommendations for re-engineering practice with an evidence-based components of care model.