The premature removal of peripherally inserted central catheters for unconfirmed infection or thrombosis can lead to subsequent reinsertions and associated complications. According to a new study in the American Journal of Infection Control, a mandatory electronic communication tool can help prevent premature PICC removals.
The study was conducted at an academically affiliated tertiary medical center. The authors of the study established a mandatory electronic communication tool based on clinical practice guidelines, and mandated use of the tool for all inpatient adult PICCs. Then, the researchers compared quality and cost measures for 200 PICCs pre- and post-implementation of the mandatory electronic communication tool.
The results revealed:
- Central-line associated bloodstream infections decreased from 1.38 per 1,000 catheter days to zero per 1,000 catheter days
- Zero provider-led PICC removals were premature
- An overall decrease in premature PICC removals of 84 percent
- A decrease in the total complication rate from 45.5 percent to 24 percent
- Radiology costs decreased by 25 percent
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