INFECTION CONTROL SPOTLIGHT Keeping Patients Safe By Robert Morehead, RN, ICP Infection Prevention and Control Houston Methodist Hospital
As we celebrate Patient Safety Awareness Week, let’s think about how preventing infections is an important way to keep our patients safe. To prevent bloodstream infections, for example, we use a CLABSI Prevention Bundle (Central Line Associated Bloodstream Infection). Have you ever wondered about the science behind using this bundle? Research in 2006 and 2008 in more than 100 ICUs in Michigan showed that applying grouped interventions as a single “bundle” was effective in reducing and preventing CLABSIs. These interventions led to a nearly 40 percent reduction in the CLABSI rate, and was sustained over 18 months*:
(1) Hand hygiene before CVC insertion (2) Avoiding insertion of CVCs in femoral sites (3) Preparation of the skin insertion site using chlorhexidine (4) Using maximal sterile barriers when inserting CVCs (5) Removing the CVC as soon as possible Of course, these aren’t the only things we do to prevent CLABSIs. We also follow these hospital policies: (6) “Scrubbing the Hub” (7) Labeling and tracking line insertion and central line dressing change dates (8) Changing dressings with CHG, and changing early if needed when moist or no longer adherent (9) Labeling and tracking tubing change dates
Thank you, Houston Methodist Nurses, for your daily service and attention to these important details that create a safe environment for our patients! *Pronovost P, Needham D, Berenholtz S, et al. An intervention to decrease catheter-related bloodstream infections in the ICU. N Engl J Med 2006;355(26):2725–2732. *Pronovost P. Interventions to decrease catheter-related bloodstream infections in the ICU: the Keystone Intensive Care Unit Project. Am J Infect Control 2008;36(10):S171e1–S171e5.
INTERVIEW: This month we introduce you ICP Jackie Trotter of Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. Q: What other health care roles have you filled? Staff Nurse, Case Manager, PI Coordinator and now Infection Prevention and Control Nurse.
Q: How long have you worked as an ICP? Two years.
Q: What led you to this role?
To Houston Methodist? What keeps you here?
I had assisted the previous Infection Prevention nurse. When the position opened, I felt this would be a great opportunity to do something that I felt was very important for patient and hospital safety. I also felt I could bring my background in Performance Improvement to assist with HAI prevention and reporting. I am currently preparing for my CIC certification.
Q: What do you like about being an ICP? I enjoy being an ICP because it involves so many aspects of nursing. It involves teaching, performance improvement, data reporting, benchmarking and working hand in hand with leadership, nursing, ancillary staff, physicians and patients. I enjoy the support from my fellow ICPs in our system, who have helped me when I started and who continue to be a great support group, sharing their experiences and learning activities with me.
Q: What would you like to share that is not job-related? I have three children and three grandsons. All three of my children have followed my footsteps in health care. I have one daughter who is a Nurse Practitioner, my other daughter is in nursing school and my son is going for physical therapy. I enjoy horseback trail riding.
Q: What message do you have for Houston Methodist nurses? Houston Methodist is a great place to work; I’ve been encouraged and supported to grow throughout all the years. I have been with Houston Methodist since 1993, and I received my 20-year pin this year! I have enjoyed being a part of the Houston Methodist team.
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