Date of Award
Fall 11-1-2023
Document Type
Scholarly Project
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
First Advisor
Dr. Hilary Morgan
Second Advisor
Dr. Monica Donald
Abstract
Practice Problem: Lack of proper sterile protocol for central lines was noted as a problem in the acute care units, causing CLASBI rates to be higher than the national average at the hospital in question.
PICOT: In hospitalized acute care adult patients 18 years of age and older with central lines, how does the use of alcohol impregnated port protectors (AIPPs) compared to current central line sanitation practices affect central-line associated infections (CLASBI) within 10 weeks?
Evidence: The literature evidence suggests that Alcohol Impregnated Port Protectors (AIPPs) decrease CLASBI rates and provide better outcomes for acute care patients with central lines. Alcohol Impregnated Port Protector (AIPPs) caps disinfect in one minute and provide a physical barrier to contamination and last up to seven days on central lines.
Intervention: The Evidence-Based Practice Project established use of Alcohol Impregnated Port Protectors (AIPPs) vs standard of care for central lines (70% isopropyl alcohol prep pads on the central lines for an undefined period) on all patients in the acute care units with central lines (Emergency Room and Intensive Care) for 10 weeks. The use of direct observation and return demonstration was used to measure compliance. Weekly CLASBI rates from Infection Control were used to track the on-going rates during implementation.
Outcome: Overall, this Evidence-Based Practice Project was clinically significant as it was able incorporate the use AIPPs vs lack of proper sterile protocol for central lines. The statistical data showed a decrease in CLASBI rates (8.02%) in as little as ten weeks.
Conclusion: Central Line Infections are a great challenge in the healthcare system and AIPPs are a good way of curtailing those challenges. AIPPs promote evidence-based practice and uphold the safety standards by reducing CLASBI rates which ultimately reduce morbidity and mortality in acute care patients.
Recommended Citation
Coons, S. M. (2023). The Use of Alcohol Impregnated Port Catheters for Decreasing Central Line Infections in Acute Care. [Doctoral project, University of St Augustine for Health Sciences]. SOAR @ USA: Student Scholarly Projects Collection. https://doi.org/10.46409/sr.ZUHH2554
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Included in
Community Health and Preventive Medicine Commons, Epidemiology Commons, Public Health Education and Promotion Commons
Comments
Scholarly project submitted to the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Nursing Practice.