2008 Nutrition Practice Posters

Abstract

use of CVCs for blood drawing took place. Nurses, physicians, laboratory personnel, and the patients themselves received information through a variety of formats, all reinforced by communication from CMO: online programs, pocket cards with procedural reminders, evidence-based e-mail bulletins, and unit-based nursing competencies. The nursing audits functioned not only as a data collection tool but also as a reminder of proper procedures. Results: In the fourth-quarter FY06 group, 37 episodes of blood drawing were reported on 90 CVCs (41.1%). The CRBSI rate was 5.52 per 1000 catheter days. The fourthquarter FY07 group reported 2 episodes of blood drawing on 119 CVCs (1.7%). CRBSI was 2.29 per 1000 catheter days. The data represent a 95.9% decrease in the frequency of CVC blood drawing and a 58.5% decline in CRBSIs during a 12-month period. Conclusions: Little data are available regarding an association between the frequency of blood sampling from CVCs and CRBSI rates. In our experience, a decline in CRBSI rates occurred after staff and patient education succeeded in dropping the frequency of blood drawing from CVCs. These results support the best practice of accessing the catheter hub only when absolutely necessary and suggest that avoiding blood drawing from CVCs can further enhance results achieved by the IHI bundle. A more rigorous scientific investigation on this potentially important issue is warranted.