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Published on: March 31, 2023
Implementation of a Vascular Access Team to Reduce Central Line Usage and Prevent Central Line-Associated Bloodstream
Thomas J Savage1, Amanda D Lynch, Stacey E Oddera
1Baptist Health Paducah Hospital, Paducah, Kentucky (Mr Savage, Ms Lynch, and Mrs Oddera). Thomas J. Savage, BSN, RN, CEN, CFRN, is a member and original developer of the vascular access team (VAT) at Baptist Health Paducah in Paducah, Kentucky. He also has 10 years' emergency department, cardiac catheter laboratory, and flight nurse experience. Amanda D. Lynch, BSN, RN, VA-BC, is a member of the VAT at Baptist Health Paducah. She has 15 years of critical care and cardiac stress laboratory experience. She joined the VAT shortly after its inception. Stacey E. Oddera, BSN, RN-BC, has 26 years' medical-surgical and interventional radiology experience. Mrs Oddera is also a member and original developer of the VAT at Baptist Health Paducah.
Abstract:
Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) account for one-third of all hospital-acquired infections and can cost the health care system between $21,000 and $100,000 per infection. A dedicated vascular access team (VAT) can help develop, implement, and standardize policies and procedures for central line usage that address insertion, maintenance, and removal as well as educate nursing staff and physicians. This article presents how 1 hospital developed a VAT and implemented evidence-based guidelines. Central line utilization decreased by 45.2%, and CLABSI incidence decreased by 90%. The results of the study demonstrated that a reduced utilization of central lines minimized the risk of patients developing a CLABSI.
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