Microbiology and audit of vascular access-associated bloodstream infections
“We aim to describe the microbiology of confirmed VAABSI and evaluate the choice of empiric antibiotics, and whether they are prescribed in concordance with the in-house antibiotic guidelines” Loo et al (2015). Reference: Loo, L.W., Liew, Y.X., Choong, H.L., Tan, A.L. and Chlebicki, P. (2015) Microbiology and audit of vascular access-associated bloodstream infections in multi-ethnic […]
Prospective study of catheter-related central vein thrombosis in home parenteral nutrition patients
“Catheter-related central vein thrombosis (CRVT) is a severe complication of home parenteral nutrition (HPN) that may be clinically manifest or subclinical” Cuerda et al (2015). Reference: Cuerda, C., Joly, F., Corcos, O., Concejo, J., Puiggrós, C., Gil, C. and Pironi, L. (2015) Prospective study of catheter-related central vein thrombosis in home parenteral nutrition patients with […]
Antimicrobial lock therapy in central-line associated bloodstream infections
“Antimicrobial lock therapy (ALT) seems a promising approach for treatment of central line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI)” Vassallo et al (2015). Reference: Vassallo, M., Dunais, B. and Roger, P.M. (2015) Antimicrobial lock therapy in central-line associated bloodstream infections: a systematic review. Infection. February 6th. [epub ahead of print]. [ctt tweet=”Antimicrobial lock therapy in central-line associated […]
Complications of peripherally inserted central catheters in adults with respiratory conditions
“Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are increasingly used in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) or with non-CF bronchiectasis, but little data exist on catheter-related complications in this setting” Dupont et al (2015). Reference: Dupont, C., Gouya, H., Panzo, R., Hubert, D., Correas, J.M., Agrario, L., Chapron, J., Honoré, I., Kanaan, R., Legmann, P., Dusser, D., […]
Do children undergoing PICC placement require coagulation laboratory testing?
“Pre-procedural blood screening did not predict bleeding in hospitalized children without a known bleeding diathesis undergoing PICC insertion” Woodley-Cook et al (2015). Reference: Woodley-Cook, J., Amaral, J., Connolly, B. and Brandão, L.R. (2015) Do children without a known bleeding tendency undergoing PICC placement require coagulation laboratory testing? Pediatric Radiology. February 6th. [epub ahead of print]. […]
Review of sonographic confirmation of intraosseous line placement
“Correct placement of the IO needle can be confirmed in several ways including the needle standing firmly upright, aspiration of bone marrow, and the infusion of fluid without visible or palpable soft tissue swelling” Saul et al (2014). Reference: Saul, T., Siadecki, S.D., Berkowitz, R., Rose, G. and Matilsky, G. (2014) The accuracy of sonographic […]
AABB platelet transfusion guideline developed for adult patients
“The AABB (formerly, the American Association of Blood Banks) developed this guideline on appropriate use of platelet transfusion in adult patients” Kaufman et al (2015). Reference: Kaufman, R.M., , Djulbegovic, B., Gernsheimer, T., Kleinman, S., Tinmouth, A.T., Capocelli, K.E., Cipolle, M.D., Cohn, C.S., Fung, M.K., Grossman, B.J., Mintz, P.D., O’Malley, B.A., Sesok-Pizzini, D.A., Shander, A., […]
When to replace infusion administration sets – full text protocol
“To allow therapy or haemodynamic monitoring, VADs frequently require administration sets (AS) composed of infusion tubing, fluid containers, pressure-monitoring transducers and/or burettes. While VADs are replaced only when necessary, AS are routinely replaced every 3-4 days in the belief that this reduces infectious complications” Rickard et al (2015). Reference: Rickard, C.M., Marsh, N.M., Webster, J., Gavin, […]
Does antibiotic lock therapy prevent catheter-associated bacteraemia?
“We concluded that antibiotic lock solutions probably decrease catheter-related blood stream infection in hemodialysis patients” Jiménez and Madrid (2015). Reference: Jiménez, M. and Madrid, T. (2015) Does antibiotic lock therapy prevent catheter-associated bacteremia in hemodialysis? Medwave. 15(1), p.e6069. [ctt tweet=”Does antibiotic lock therapy prevent catheter-associated bacteraemia? http://ctt.ec/MC1jg+ @ivteam #ivteam” coverup=”MC1jg”] Abstract: Central venous catheter-related blood […]
Massive catheter-related thrombosis of the superior vena cava
“Seven days after CVC insertion, the patient developed fever and on day 11 echocardiography showed a large nearly occluding thrombus in the superior vena cava (SVC) extending into the right atrium (RA)” Mach et al (2015). Reference: Mach, L., Ondruskova, O., Nemec, P. and Orban, M. (2015) Massive catheter-related thrombosis of vena cava superior protruding […]
Challenges of inpatient blood glucose monitoring
“Different glucose monitoring systems use arterial, venous, central venous, and capillary blood samples. It is important for clinicians to be aware that there are limitations of specific point-of-care (POC) glucose meters and that situations exist whereby POC glucose meters as the sole measurement device should be avoided” Hermayer et al (2015). Reference: Hermayer, K.L., Loftley, […]
The incidence of catheter-associated venous thrombosis in children
“Our goals were to define the incidence rate of catheter-related thrombosis in a hospitalized, noncritically ill, pediatric population and to determine modifiable factors that alter the risk of thrombosis” Smitherman et al (2015). Reference: Smitherman, A.B., Alexander, T., Connelly, M., Snavely, A.C., Weston, B.W., Liles, E.A. and Steiner, M.J. (2015) The incidence of catheter-associated venous […]
Daily maintenance care bundle to prevent central line-associated bloodstream infections
“The project used a pre-post program design to evaluate outcomes of CVC daily maintenance care bundle compliancy and CLABSI” Duffy et al (2015). Reference: Duffy, E.A., Rodgers, C.C., Shever, L.L. and Hockenberry, M.J. (2015) Implementing a Daily Maintenance Care Bundle to Prevent Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections in Pediatric Oncology Patients. Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing. […]
CLABSI surveillance computer-generated automated trigger system
“Pre-selection of patients to be checked for signs and symptoms of VAP and CLABSI by a computer-generated automated trigger system was time saving but slightly less accurate than conventional surveillance” Kaiser et al (2014). Reference: Kaiser, A.M., de Jong, E., Evelein-Brugman, S.F., Peppink, J.M., Vandenbroucke-Grauls, C.M. and Girbes, A.R. (2014) Development of trigger-based semi-automated surveillance […]
Implementation of smart infusion pump champions improves safety
“This quality improvement project describes a pump champion innovation implemented over a 6-month period. There was a significant increase in nurses’ compliance to drug library software in smart pumps and a decrease in severe harms averted” Orto et al (2014). Reference: Orto, V., Hendrix, C.C., Griffith, B. and Shaikewitz, S.T. (2014) Implementation of a Smart […]
Delaying CVC placement in adult patients with acute leukemia may increase CLABSI
“Delaying CVC placement in adult patients with acute leukemia may be associated with higher rate of CLABSI in the early period after induction therapy” Kugler et al (2015). Reference: Kugler, E., Levi, A., Goldberg, E., Zaig, E., Raanani, P. and Paul, M. (2015) The association of central venous catheter placement timing with infection rates in […]
Portuguese article reviews parenteral nutrition in pediatric patients
“Parenteral nutrition is crucial when the use of the gastrointestinal tract is not feasible. This article addresses the main techniques for parenteral access in children, its indications, insertion details and maintenance, and complications” EstevÉo-Costa (2014). Reference: EstevÉo-Costa, J. (2014) Artificial Nutrition in Children (II): Parenteral Access. Acta Médica Portuguesa. 27(6), p.767-774. [Article in Portuguese]. [ctt […]
ICU rounding checklist reduces central venous catheter utilization
“Physician compliance reporting can be used to improve ICU physician compliance with rounding checklists when prompters are unavailable” Carlos et al (2015). Reference: Carlos, W.G., Patel, D.G., Vannostrand, K.M., Gupta, S., Cucci, A.R. and Bosslet, G.T. (2015) ICU Rounding Checklist Implementation: Effect of Accountability Measures on Physician Compliance. Annals of the American Thoracic Society. February […]
Ethanol lock therapy for the prevention and treatment of CLABSI
“Ethanol lock therapy (ELT) has emerged as an effective method for the prevention and treatment of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs), but the safety of ELT in infants has not been established” Chhim et al (2015). Reference: Chhim, R.F., Crill, C.M., Collier, H.K., Arnold, S.R., Pourcyrous, M., Meibohm, B. and Christensen, M. (2015) Ethanol Lock […]
Preventing blood exposure during IV catheter placement due to blood leakage
“In the current study a new safety IV catheter equipped with a blood leakage control septum was assessed under routine clinical conditions” Haeseler et al (2015). Reference: Haeseler, G., Hildebrand, M. and Fritscher, J. (2015) Efficacy and ease of use of an intravenous catheter designed to prevent blood leakage: a prospective observational trial. The Journal […]
PICC line placement and the kidney patient reviewed
“PICC placement and invasion of the nondominant arm are both frequent in patients with abnormal kidney function, in spite of guidelines discouraging their use” McGill et al (2015). Reference: McGill, R.L., Tsukahara, T., Bhardwaj, R., Kapetanos, A.T. and Marcus, R.J. (2015) Inpatient venous access practices: PICC culture and the kidney patient. The Journal of Vascular […]
Factors that influence implantable port catheter tip location movement
“The factors associated with increased positional catheter tip movement for left IJV ports include patient age, BMI, innominate vein angle and dual- vs single-lumen port” Wallace et al (2015). Reference: Wallace, J.A., Afonso, E., Yu, H., Birchard, K. and Isaacson, A. (2015) Factors that predict increased catheter tip movement in left internal jugular vein implantable […]
Equation for peripherally inserted central catheter length on the left side
“The equation of our study would provide a new equation for proper estimation of catheter length in case of bedside insertion of left arm PICC in relation to height” Jeon et al (2014). Reference: Jeon, E-Y., Koh, S.H., Lee, I.J., Ha, H. and Park, B.J. (2014) Useful equation for proper estimate of left side peripherally […]
Management of implantable port chemotherapy drug extravasation
“Chemotherapy drug extravasation (CDE) can have dire consequences and will delay treatment. The purpose of this study is to both clarify the management of CDE and show the effectiveness of early surgical lavage (ESL)” Azaïs et al (2014). Reference: Azaïs, H., Bresson, L., Bassil, A., Katdare, N., Merlot, B., Houpeau, J-L., Bedoui, S.E., Meurant, J-P., […]
Central venous catheter locking solutions and the prevention of catheter dysfunction
“Our objective was to compare the use of locking solutions containing heparin versus all other locking solutions for primary prevention of TDC dysfunction” Chapla et al (2014). Reference: Chapla, K., Oza-Gajera, B.P., Yevzlin, A.S., Shin, J-I., Astor, B.C. and Chan, M.R. (2014) Hemodialysis catheter locking solutions and the prevention of catheter dysfunction: a meta-analysis. The […]
Catheter-related bloodstream infection caused by Methylobacterium radiotolerans
“Four cases of central venous catheter-related Methylobacterium radiotolerans infection are presented” Li et al (2015). Reference: Li, L., Tarrand, J.J. and Han, X.Y. (2015) Four Cases of Catheter-related Infection by Methylobacterium radiotolerans: Microbiologic and Clinical Features. Journal of Clinical Microbiology. January 28th. [epub ahead of print]. [ctt tweet=”Catheter-related bloodstream infection caused by Methylobacterium radiotolerans http://ctt.ec/Uuccq+ […]
Superior vena cava syndrome associated with implantable port
“The diagnosis of superior vena cava syndrome associated with indwelling catheter was made and the patient was treated with unfractionated heparin infusion” Santos et al (2015). Reference: Santos, P.K., Fernandes, A.M., Figueiredo, V. and Janeiro, S. (2015) Superior vena cava syndrome associated with longstanding implantable central venous port. BMJ Case Reports. January 27th. [online publication]. […]
Incidence of Clostridium difficile Infection (CDI) in OPAT patients
“In this large study of 681 OPAT patients, CO-HCFA CDI was uncommon, occurring in <1% of patients and at an incidence rate of less than 1 per 1000 person-days” Wong et al (2015). Reference: Wong, K.K., Fraser, T.G., Shrestha, N.K., Fatica, C. and Deshpande, A. (2015) Low Incidence of Clostridium difficile Infection (CDI) in Patients […]
Needlestick injuries in Australian healthcare workers
“The purpose of this article is to again draw attention to the serious and costly issue of needlestick injuries in Australian healthcare settings” Murphy (2014). Reference: Murphy, C.L. (2014) The serious and ongoing issue of needlestick in Australian healthcare settings. Collegian. 21(4), p.295-9. [ctt tweet=”Needlestick injuries in Australian healthcare workers http://ctt.ec/h4dV5+ @ivteam #ivteam” coverup=”5d0Pa”] Abstract: […]
Analysis of contamination due to face-touching behavior
“Increasing medical students’ awareness of their habituated face-touching behavior and improving their understanding of self-inoculation as a route of transmission may help to improve hand hygiene compliance” Kwok et al (2015). Reference: Kwok, Y.L.A., Gralton, J. and McLaws, M-L. (2015) Face touching: A frequent habit that has implications for hand hygiene. American Journal of Infection […]