The CDC Hemodialysis BSI Prevention Collaborative's interventions helped AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Atlantic, N.J., reduce bloodstream infections at its outpatient dialysis center.
To address bloodstream infection prevention in outpatient hemodialysis centers, CDC established the CDC Hemodialysis BSI Prevention Collaborative in 2009. As part of this effort, member hemodialysis centers report bloodstream infections to the National Healthcare Safety Network and adopt a uniform package of BSI prevention interventions.
AtlantiCare Regional joined the collaborative in September 2009 and implemented the collaborative's six interventions:
1) Observation of catheter care and vascular access care
2) Use of chlorhexidine for skin antisepsis
3) Auditing of hand hygiene adherence
4) Patient education and engagement
5) Catheter use reduction programs
6) Staff member education and competency testing
The hospital also participated in monthly telephone conferences and yearly face-to-face meetings that served as a forum for presenting infection prevention topics, sharing best practices and problem solving.
At AtlantiCare Regional's outpatient hemodialysis center, the six interventions, combined with a behavioral change intervention, was associated with a decline in bloodstream infections. Only one bloodstream infection was identified in the final 12 months of the intervention period that included more than 1,200 patient-months.
To address bloodstream infection prevention in outpatient hemodialysis centers, CDC established the CDC Hemodialysis BSI Prevention Collaborative in 2009. As part of this effort, member hemodialysis centers report bloodstream infections to the National Healthcare Safety Network and adopt a uniform package of BSI prevention interventions.
AtlantiCare Regional joined the collaborative in September 2009 and implemented the collaborative's six interventions:
1) Observation of catheter care and vascular access care
2) Use of chlorhexidine for skin antisepsis
3) Auditing of hand hygiene adherence
4) Patient education and engagement
5) Catheter use reduction programs
6) Staff member education and competency testing
The hospital also participated in monthly telephone conferences and yearly face-to-face meetings that served as a forum for presenting infection prevention topics, sharing best practices and problem solving.
At AtlantiCare Regional's outpatient hemodialysis center, the six interventions, combined with a behavioral change intervention, was associated with a decline in bloodstream infections. Only one bloodstream infection was identified in the final 12 months of the intervention period that included more than 1,200 patient-months.
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