AHRQ Innovations Exchange | Nurse-Enforced Protocols and Associated Tools Significantly Reduce Catheter-Related Infections in the Intensive Care Unit

Nurse-Enforced Protocols and Associated Tools Significantly Reduce Catheter-Related Infections in the Intensive Care Unit

Summary
As part of a system-wide effort to transform inpatient care and eliminate preventable injuries and deaths, St. John Hospital and Medical Center (part of the Ascension Health System) developed standardized, nurse-enforced protocols to prevent catheter-related bloodstream infections, tools to assist in following these protocols, and an education program for physicians and nurses. Pre- and post-implementation comparisons show that the program has significantly reduced catheter-related bloodstream infections (from 9.6 to 3 per 1,000 central line days) and delayed the onset of infections in those who develop them; the reduction in such infections has led to substantial cost savings.

Evidence Rating
Moderate: The evidence consists of before-and-after comparisons of catheter-related bloodstream infection rates and infection-free catheter days, along with post-implementation data on protocol compliance and estimated cost savings.


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AHRQ Innovations Exchange | Nurse-Enforced Protocols and Associated Tools Significantly Reduce Catheter-Related Infections in the Intensive Care Unit