Central line-associated bloodstream infections in Australian intensive care units
We sought to describe time-trends in CLABSI rates, infections by ICU peer-groups, etiology, and antimicrobial susceptibility of pathogens in a large cohort of Australian ICUs for the period January 1, 2009-December 31, 2013” Worth et al (2015). Reference: Worth, L.J., Spelman, T., Bull, A.L., Brett, J.A. and Richards, M.J. (2015) Central line-associated bloodstream infections in […]
Clinical and therapeutic aspects of candidemia
This study was performed to evaluate contemporary epidemiology, species distribution, antifungal susceptibility and outcome of candida BSI in an Italian hospital” Bassetti et al (2015). Reference: Bassetti, M., Merelli, M., Ansaldi, F., de Florentiis, D., Sartor, A., Scarparo, C., Callegari, A. and Righi, E. (2015) Clinical and therapeutic aspects of candidemia: a five year single […]
Catheter-related blood stream infection caused by Dermacoccus barathri
A 7-year-old boy undergoing home parenteral nutrition with totally implantable central venous access device for chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction experienced repeated episodes of fever with a temperature above 39.0 °C despite the antibiotic treatment” Takahashi et al (2015). Reference: Takahashi, N., Shinjoh, M., Tomita, H., Fujino, A., Sugita, K., Katohno, Y., Kuroda, T. and Kikuchi, K. […]
Blood culture contamination rate in an intensive care setting
Blood culture (BC) contamination rate is an indicator of quality of care scarcely explored in intensive care units (ICUs). We analyzed the BC contamination rate in our ICU to assess the effectiveness of an education-based intervention” Ramirez et al (2015). Reference: Ramirez, P., Gordón, M., Cortes, C., Villarreal, E., Perez-Belles, C., Robles, C., de Hevia, […]
Article summarizes recent literature regarding CLABSI and its prevention
This article aims to review the initiatives undertaken to reduce CLABSI and summarizes the sentinel and recent literature regarding CLABSI and its prevention” Latif et al (2015). Reference: Latif, A., Halim, M.S. and Pronovost, P.J. (2015) Eliminating Infections in the ICU: CLABSI. Current Infectious Disease Reports. 17(7), p491. [ctt tweet=”Article summarizes recent literature regarding CLABSI […]
Staphylococcus aureus biofilm development in medical devices
Biofilms recovered from infected central venous catheters in a rat model of device-related infection were dispersed by nattokinase supporting the important role of the biofilm phenotype and identifying a potentially new therapeutic approach with antimicrobials and fibrinolytic drugs, particularly during the early stages of device-related infection” Zapotoczna et al (2015). Reference: Zapotoczna, M., McCarthy, H., […]
Ultrasound-guided vein catheterization in infants weighing less than five kilograms
…experience with the use of ultrasound-guided supraclavicular brachiocephalic vein approach for central vein catheterization in infants weighing less than 5 kg” Aytekin et al (2015). Reference: Aytekin, C., Özyer, U., Harman, A. and Boyvat, F. (2015) Ultrasound-guided brachiocephalic vein catheterization in infants weighing less than five kilograms. The Journal of Vascular Access. May 30th. [epub […]
Peripheral intravenous catheters: An international perspective
We found 59% of patients had at least 1 PIVC in place, and 16% had other types of vascular devices” Alexandrou et al (2015). Reference: Alexandrou, E., Ray-Barruel, G. Carr, P.J., Frost, S., Inwood, S., Higgins, N., Lin, F., Alberto, L., Mermel, L. and Rickard, C.M. (2015) International prevalence of the use of peripheral intravenous […]
Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) in elderly patients
Approximately 80 000 CR-BSIs occur in ICUs annually, potentially resulting in as many as 56 000 CR-BSIs occurring in the geriatric ICU patient, with 20% of these cases resulting in death” Chernecky et al (2015). Reference: Chernecky, C., Macklin, D. and Blackburn, P. (2015) Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections (CR-BSI) in Geriatric Patients in Intensive Care Units. […]
Management of dysfunctional central venous catheters by interventional radiology
As experience with catheters and tubes grows, it becomes increasingly evident that the interventional radiologist needs to be an expert not only on device placement but also on device management” Huang et al (2015). Reference: Huang, S.Y., Engstrom, B.I., Lungren, M.P. and Kim, C.Y. (2015) Management of dysfunctional catheters and tubes inserted by interventional radiology. […]
Multidisciplinary team led by infection prevention team reduce CLABSI
A higher rate than expected of Central Line Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI) and other device-related infections was occurring in a 31 bed Medical/Surgical Intensive Care Unit (ICU) within a 350-bed hospital” Barry et al (2015). Reference: Barry, J.L., Gunderson, W., Antwi, M., Arnold, C., Busse, B., George, J., Johansen, M., Klinkenberg, A., Kunesh, L., Mueller, […]
Electronic medical record on number of central line days
We conducted a study to validate the accuracy of a daily report of the number of CLs generated by an electronic medical record (EMR) system” Paci et al (2015). Reference: Paci, G., Feidner, C., Hubbard, L., Devin, L., Reilly, L., Gentile, A. and Boyce, J. (2015) Prospective Validation of an Electronic Medical Record Report of […]
Evaluation of high risk blood and body fluid exposure
All reported Blood and Body Fluid Exposures (BBFE) are evaluated by a dedicated team. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is provided and staff is monitored prospectively” Derevnuk et al (2015). Reference: Derevnuk, A., Santos-Cruz, E., Karam-Howlin, R., Reyes, M., De la Vega-Diaz, I. and Wallach, F. (2015) Evaluation of High Risk Blood and Body Fluid Exposures at […]
Prevention of needlestick and sharp injuries among hospitals in Thailand
This descriptive study aimed to determine the operation in prevention of NSIs of all levels of hospitals in Thailand, NSIs among hospital personnel and problems in prevention of NSIs of hospitals” Unahalekhaka and Lueang-a-papong (2015). Reference: Unahalekhaka, A. and Lueang-a-papong, S. (2015) Prevention of Needlestick and Sharp Injuries among Hospitals in Thailand. American Journal of […]
Central venous catheter surface chemistry and the delivery of fluorouracil (5-Fu)
We demonstrate that graphene surfaces inhibit this undesirable reaction and would offer superior performance as nanoscale coatings in cancer treatment applications” Mazzola et al (2015). Reference: Mazzola, F., Trinh, T., Cooil, S., Ramleth Østli, E., Høydalsvik, K., Torbjørn Bakken Skjønsfjell, E., Kjelstrup, S.Preobrajenski, A., Cafolla, A.A. and Evans, D.A. (2015) Graphene coatings for chemotherapy: avoiding silver-mediated […]
Pleural effusion caused by vessel perforation following PICC placement
PICC insertion may be associated with severe complications, such as central vessel perforation, and therefore the correct position of a central catheter should be always checked” Álvarez-Baena et al (2015). Reference: Álvarez-Baena, L., Duque, P., Ramos, R., Zarain Obrador, L. and Fernández-Quero, L. (2015) Unilateral pleural effusion caused by vessel perforation due to peripherally inserted […]
Peripherally inserted central catheter placement in patients with coagulation disorders
In patients with severe primary and secondary hemostasis disorders, combined hemostasis disorders or on antiplatelet therapy, PICC placement is a feasible and safe procedure and does not require correction of coagulation parameters or discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy” Potet et al (2015). Reference: Potet, J., Arnaud, F.X., Thome, A., Weber-Donat, G., Konopacki, J., Bouzad, C., Kervella, […]
Hemodynamic responses of critically ill patients to intravenous fluid boluses
In this cohort of critically-ill and previously resuscitated ARDS patients, the rate of fluid responsiveness was low and fluid boluses only led to small hemodynamic changes” Lammi et al (2015). Reference: Lammi, M.R., Aiello, B., Burg, G.T., Rehman, T., Douglas, I.S., Wheeler, A.P. and deBoisblanc, B.P. (2015) Response to Fluid Boluses in the Fluid and […]
Safety of peripheral intravenous administration of vasoactive medication
The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of vasoactive medication administered through peripheral intravenous access” Cardenas-Garcia et al (2015). Reference: Cardenas-Garcia, J., Schaub, K.F., Belchikov, Y.G., Narasimhan, M., Koenig, S.J. and Mayo, P.H. (2015) Safety of peripheral intravenous administration of vasoactive medication. Journal of Hospital Medicine. May 26th. [epub ahead of print]. […]
Central venous catheter associated histological changes of the central veins
Circumferential neointimal hyperplasia occurred after surgical cutdown of the external jugular vein in a rat model and was caused by SMC activation, proliferation, and infiltration into the pericatheter sleeve” Kim et al (2015). Reference: Kim, S., Kim, Y. and Moon, S.B. (2015) Histological changes of the unligated vein wall adjacent to the central venous catheter […]
Comparative outcomes of β-lactam antibiotics in OPAT
OPAT with β-lactam antibiotics is effective, but antibiotic switches for adverse events were more frequent with oxacillin use” Lee et al (2015). Reference: Lee, B., Tam, I., Weigel, B. 4th., Breeze, J.L., Paulus, J.K., Nelson, J. and Allison, G.M. (2015) Comparative outcomes of β-lactam antibiotics in outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy: treatment success, readmissions and antibiotic […]
Comparison of blood culture and multiplex real-time pcr for the diagnosis of sepsis
In this study, we evaluated the diagnostic performance of multiplex real-time PCR (LightCycler SeptiFast), and compared with blood cultures and cultures from focus of infection in nosocomial sepsis” Dinc et al (2015). Reference: Dinç, F., Akalın, H., Özakın, C., Sınırtaş, M., Kebabçı, N., İşçimen, R., Kelebek, Girgin, N. and Kahveci, F. (2015) Comparison of blood […]
Intravenous antibiotics for suspected early onset neonatal sepsis
The objective of this randomized controlled trial was to compare the treatment failure of suspected early onset neonatal sepsis with either 3-day or 5-day course of empirical antibiotic therapy” Pasha et al (2014). Reference: Pasha, Y.Z., Ahmadpour-Kacho, M., Behmadi, R. and Jahangir, T. (2014) 3-Day versus 5-Day Course of Intravenous Antibiotics for Suspected Early Onset […]
Overview of sharps injuries among health-care workers
They are associated with lack of training, instrument and procedure risk, fatigue and stress. The occupational distribution is nurses 45 %, technicians 20 %, doctors 20 % and maintenance workers 5 %” Gopar-Nieto et al (2015). Reference: Gopar-Nieto, R., Juárez-Pérez, C.A., Cabello-López, A., Haro-García, L.C. and Aguilar-Madrid, G. (2015) Overview of sharps injuries among health-care […]
Article explains the role of the transfusion safety officer
We provide a description of how we utilize our hospital-based TSO to improve transfusion safety and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and maintenance of certification at our institution” Dunbar and Szczepiorkowski (2015). Reference: Dunbar, N.M. and Szczepiorkowski, Z.M. (2015) How do we utilize a transfusion safety officer? Transfusion. May 30th. [epub ahead of print]. [ctt […]
Protocol for thawed plasma administration to trauma patients
Almost 50% of trauma-related fatalities within the first 24 hours of injury are related to hemorrhage” Stubbs et al (2015). Reference: Stubbs, J.R., Zielinski, M.D., Berns, K.S., Badjie, K.S., Tauscher, C.D., Hammel, S.C., Zietlow, S.P. and Jenkins, D. (2015) How we provide thawed plasma for trauma patients. Transfusion. May 27th. [epub ahead of print]. [ctt […]
Intravenous fluid choice in the management of sepsis
In a relatively short period of time, we’ve made aggressive fluid resuscitation and early antibiotics the standard of care and now focus our attention on improving other aspects of the resuscitation” Schwarz (2015). Reference: Schwarz, E. (2015) In Sepsis, Fluid Choice Matters. Emergency Physicians Monthly cited on MedPage Today. May 26th. published online. [ctt tweet=”Intravenous […]
Patients’ experiences of safety during haemodialysis treatment
Although haemodialysis patients perceived multiple risks, most patients reported feeling safe during their treatment” Lovink et al (2015). Reference: Lovink M.H., Kars M.C., de Man-van Ginkel, J.M. and Schoonhoven, L. (2015) Patients’ experiences of safety during haemodialysis treatment – a qualitative study. Journal of Advanced Nursing. May 25th. [epub ahead of print]. [ctt tweet=”Patients’ experiences […]
Impact of bundles to reduce CLABSI in New York State hospitals
Despite efforts to reduce Central Line Blood Stream Infections (CLABSI), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report there are over 40,000 infections that occur in our hospitals annually” Roberts (2015). Reference: Roberts, K. (2015) The Impact of Using Practice Bundle Elements to Reduce Central Line Blood Stream Infections in New York State Hospitals. […]
Effect of daily chlorhexidine cloth bathing on MRSA transmission
Our objective is to evaluate daily universal patient bathing with chlorhexidine gloconate (CHG) impregnated cloths in the reduction of MRSA transmission and infection” Rafuse (2015). Reference: Rafuse, R.H. (2015) Impact of Daily Universal Chlorhexidine Cloth Bathing on Methicillin-Resistant Staphyloccus Aureus Transmission and Infection. American Journal of Infection Control. 43(6), p. S30. [ctt tweet=”Effect of daily […]