Modification of anesthesia practice reduces catheter‐associated bloodstream infections: a quality improvement initiative

Abstract

Practice modification by anesthesiology providers in the operating room can decrease workspace contamination and is associated with decreased CABSI rates.

Infection prevention in pediatric anesthesia practice

“…Anesthesia providers must be educated about the importance of hand hygiene, and hand sanitizer should be provided in a standardized, accessible location in the anesthesia workspace . Anesthesia providers must become involved in examining and defining opportunities for hand hygiene specific to the workflow of anesthesiologists, and designing novel strategies to prevent contamination . Some practical strategies for promoting adherence to hand hygiene protocols as well as other bundled interventions include: involvement of front line providers in designing proposed changes, education, auditing, and leadership support to remove obstacles and provide vision…”

“… Develop a standard protocol for operating room decontamination. Literature suggests that operating room decontamination is inconsistent and inadequate between cases . This increases the risk of intercase bacterial transmission.…”

“…Recent studies show that decontamination of the anesthesia workspace is faster and more effective with specifically trained staff . Posting this as a visual aid in a standard location in every operating room, and training turnover staff to this standard is one strategy to optimize compliance Minimize contamination of intravenous access points .…”

“…3 These findings were supported by data from another center which demonstrated high rates of infection in a cohort of pediatric intensive care patients traveling to the operating room. 11 Bacterial transmission in the anesthesia workspace has been well-described. [12][13][14][15] It is undeniable that anesthesia providers play an important role in this bacterial transmission during the course of an anesthetic, which in turn has been associated with increased patient infection rates and mortality.…”

“…One study identified travel to the operating room from the floor (ICU or ward) as an independent risk factor for developing catheter‐associated blood stream infection . These findings were supported by data from another center which demonstrated high rates of infection in a cohort of pediatric intensive care patients traveling to the operating room …”