Central line infections

[Marlene]

Here's an interesting article on a study regarding the reduction of blood infections from central lines. Just by changing to a zero fluid displacement connector on central lines, a significant reduction in blood born infections is observed. The first link is the article, the second is a 3 minute video explaining it and the third is the company making the connectors.

A significant impact for just $1. May be worthwhile asking about it if you have a central line.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...910093350.htm/

http://vimeo.com/74145809

http://rymedtech.com/products/

[Birgitta-A]

Very interesting Marlene!

The nurses at "my" day care ward always flush my port until there is no visible blood after transfusions before they connect the Desferal home pump that I have during 4 days. Hopefully there will be no blood or anything else for the bacteria. I have had my port 6.5 years without problems (knock on wood).
Kind regards
Birgitta-A

[Marlene]

I think some take more precautions than others. Glad you have some very conscientious nurses. You've gotten your money's worth out of that port for sure .

[Chirley]

I participated in a study with these "positive pressure" bungs some years ago. The results were so dramatic that the hospital I worked at immediately placed them on the standard stock list. That meant they were available for all IVs, not just central lines.

We also introduced a policy that lines that were used to infuse blood were replaced by new lines at the completion of the transfusion. Also, no line was to be disconnected and reconnected under any circumstances. Once a line was disconnected for any reason it was replaced with a new one. Also, lines were not to be connected and disconnected unnecessarily. That meant no disconnection for the shower etc. our research showed that BSIs (blood stream infections) rose when lines were continuously being disconnected.

[Marlene]

When John was in Hopkins, they too had very strict protocols for their infusion lines and connections. While we were there, they implemented a new rule on how long the IV tubing can be. They really shorted it so that it would not touch the ground ever. The patient really felt tethered to the IV pole. They got lots of complaints from the patients.

Always glad someone is working on infection control.