Vascular Access Infection Prevention and Control
Protecting patients from transmission of hospital acquired infections related to vascular access procedures is accomplished by applying vascular access infection prevention and control protocols with both discipline and diligence. As stated in multiple peer reviewed journal articles, these protocols must be evidence based, systematically implemented, and monitored for key metrics to ensure that all the steps of the care and insertion bundle are performed and adhered to by all members of the team with every patient access procedure. For purposes of this article, we are discussing Blood Stream Infections consisting of Catheter-Related Blood Stream Infections (CRBSIs) and Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSIs).
Vascular Access Infection Prevention and Control | Key Steps
Vascular Access Infection Prevention and Control Key Steps are critical, as clinical behaviors around the insertion and maintenance of vascular access devices dramatically affects patient outcomes. These Key Steps greatly assist in preventing clinically relevant CRBSIs and financially relevant CLABSIs. Additionally, the new reporting guidelines around HOB (Hospital Onset Bacteremia) also require strict attention to provide both excellent outcomes and reduction in mandatory reporting. While a more comprehensive list of Vascular Access Infection Prevention and Control Protocols are provided below, the following Key Steps are among the most significant and impactful.
Insertion Related Key Steps
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- Practicing proper hand hygiene
- Scrupulous sterile field technique
- Proper skin antisepsis
- Anatomical placement that supports excellent care and maintenance. (i.e., avoiding high jugular placements)
Post-Insertion Care Related Key Steps
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- Practicing proper hand hygiene
- Scrubbing the hub before every access with gloved hands
- Maintaining antimicrobial dressings
Vascular Access Infections | Expanded Reporting
Call us at 877-284-4435 or Email Us to learn how we can help prepare you for Expanded Reporting of Healthcare Acquired Infections and Hospital Onset Bacteremia.
Vascular Access Infection Prevention and Control | Protocols
- Wash hands with soap and water before touching each patient and vascular access device.
- Wear fresh, clean gloves before touching each patient and vascular access device, including for IV push medications.
- Use Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG) for skin antisepsis before starting a vascular access procedure. Patients with indwelling central catheters should also be bathed with CHG wipes daily while in the hospital.
- Use strict sterile technique and maximum sterile barrier precautions throughout every central venous line insertion.
- Use ultrasound guidance to place vascular access devices. Vascular Access Board Certified clinicians are highly trained and proficient in the use of ultrasound guidance, which minimizes the risk of multiple, unsuccessful attempts and allows for anatomical placements that make care and maintenance of dressings easier to maintain.
- Scrub the hub, even after removing protective caps, prior to accessing any vascular access device.
- Minimize disruptions in the infusion set as much as possible.
- If IV infusion set must be disconnected, use a sterile cap at the luer lock (do not loop the tubing and connect it to itself).
According to the Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice
“Attach a new, sterile, compatible covering device to the male luer end of the administration set after each intermittent use. Do not attach the exposed male luer end of the administration set to a port on the same administration set (i.e., “looping”).15,27 (IV)*
* Gorski LA, Hadaway L, Hagle ME, Broadhurst D, Clare S, Kleidon T, Meyer BM, Nickel B, Rowley S, Sharpe E, Alexander M. Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice, 8th Edition. J Infus Nurs. 2021 Jan-Feb 01;44(1S Suppl 1):S1-S224. doi: 10.1097/NAN.0000000000000396. PMID: 33394637.
Incorrect IV Looping
Correct IV Capped
Vascular Access Infection Prevention and Control | Benefits
Vascular Access Infection Prevention and Control Benefits go far beyond just minimizing the number of events that need to be reported under this expanded reporting.
Access to expert vascular access clinicians will often avoid delays in therapy initiation due to lack of access.
A Vascular Access Infection Prevention and Control Program can also help reduce hospital readmissions – a serious problem in healthcare – as evidenced in part by the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program (part of the Affordable Care Act) to reduce payments to hospitals with excessive readmissions rates within 30 days of discharge. Properly established protocols and adherence to the protocols prevent and reduce the risk for hospital-acquired infections.
Infection Prevention and Control | Vascular Access Experts
As Infection Prevention and Control Vascular Access Experts, Vascular Wellness practices stringent infection prevention and control measures. We specialize in Vascular Access. Our highly skilled clinicians excel at inserting the right line at the right time to manage the patient’s needs, and to safely deliver the ordered therapy. In addition to clinical excellence, we often help clients by:
- Developing Vascular Access Program Management Solutions
- Designing and implementing customized infection prevention and control protocols
- Educating and training the entire healthcare team in infection prevention and best practices relating to vascular access and care and maintenance
- Providing and analyzing Quality Service Reports
- Developing and configuring EHR/CHR Systems
Call us at 877-284-4435 or Email Us to learn how we can help with Vascular Access Infection Prevention and Control Protocols.
Vascular Access Infection and Prevention Control | Provider Resources
Click the links below to access these Vascular Access Infection Prevention and Control Provider Resources:
CDC: Clinical Safety: Hand Hygiene for Healthcare Workers→
CDC: Frequent Questions About Hand Hygiene→
Johns Hopkins Medicine: CHG Bathing to Prevent Healthcare Associated Infections→
American Hospital Association: Hospital Onset Bacteremia→
BD Infusate Companion app – (Apple)→
BD Infusate Companion app – (Android)→
“The BD Infusate Consideration Companion may help you identify medications that may or may not be given in peripheral veins to help reduce risks and complications. When selecting a vascular access device, are you considering both the infusates and the potential infusion complications? Thrombosis, thrombophlebitis, phlebitis, necrosis following extravasation of a vesicant drug, and pain/redness during infusion may be potential complications. The BD Infusate Consideration Companion (ICC) may help you identify medications that are non-peripherally compatible. Consideration of peripheral vein preservation and minimizing harm should be a factor in device selection. Selecting the appropriate device for a patient is a critical part of a clinician’s job. These materials are being provided for your information only and are not a substitute for clinical judgment.”
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Vascular Wellness provides comprehensive, quality, timely, and innovative vascular access services, including standard and advanced line placement, pediatrics, program management, education, training, and infection control and prevention to all healthcare settings such as Tertiary Hospitals, Community Hospitals, Long-Term Acute Care Hospitals, Hospital at Home Programs, Skilled Nursing Facilities, Surgical and Outpatient Centers, Hospice, and At-Home care. We support a 98+% Success Rate with 0% Insertion-Related Infection Rate across all lines, with an average response time of 3 hours. We help our clients improve patient outcomes, enable faster therapy, reduce costs, infections, and readmissions, decrease hospital length of stay, and reduce transportation expenses.
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Vascular Wellness
151 Quarrystone Circle
Suite 112
Cary, NC 27519
919-226-3694
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Monday-Friday: 8am - 6pm
Saturday-Sunday: 8am - 3pm
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