Online survey reviews hand hygiene attitudes among medical students
“An anonymous, online survey of medical students, interns, and faculty at a university hospital was conducted in 2013 to examine self-reported adherence to hand hygiene opportunities” Polacco et al (2015). Reference: Polacco, M.A., Shinkunas, L., Perencevich, E.N., Kaldjian, L.C. and Reisinger, H.S. (2015) See one, do one, teach one: Hand hygiene attitudes among medical students, […]
APIC’s role in the national implementation of CUSP to eliminate HAIs
“Through its partnership with the Health Research & Educational Trust (HRET), APIC is participating in several national collaborative projects focused on reducing healthcare-associated infections…” Anon (2015). Reference: Anon (2015) APIC’s role in the national implementation of CUSP to eliminate HAIs. American Journal of Infection Control. 43(2), p.99. [ctt tweet=”APIC’s role in the national implementation of […]
Smart infusion pump data compared by a web-based analytics system
“A Web-based analytics system for conducting inhouse evaluations and cross-facility comparisons of alert data generated by smart infusion pumps is described” Catlin et al (2015). Reference: Catlin, A.C., Malloy, W.X., Arthur, K.J., Gaston, C., Young, J., Fernando, S. and Fernando, R. (2015) Comparative analytics of infusion pump data across multiple hospital systems. American Journal of […]
Is outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy appropriate?
“We reviewed patient discharges with outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) to determine whether outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy was modifiable or unnecessary…” Knackstedt et al (2015) Reference: Knackstedt, E.D., Stockmann, C., Davis, C.R., Thorell, E.A., Pavia, A.T. and Hersh, A.L. (2015) Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy in pediatrics: an opportunity to expand antimicrobial stewardship. Infection Control and […]
Case study demonstrates absent internal jugular vein
“Imaging showed a single pulsatile vessel, which was non compressible suggestive of the carotid artery with no evidence of the IJV” Rewari et al (2015). Reference: Rewari, V., Chandran, R., Ramachandran, R. and Trikha, A. (2015) Absent internal jugular vein: Another case for ultrasound guided vascular access. Indian Journal of Critical Care Medicine. 19(1), p.53-4. […]
Needlestick injury quality improvement initiative reviewed
“A service evaluation was undertaken to investigate whether the introduction of sharp-safe needles had reduced the incidence of needlestick injuries” Beynon (2015) Reference: Beynon, A. (2015) A quality improvement initiative to reduce needlestick injuries. Nursing Standard. 29(22), p.37-42. [ctt tweet=”Needlestick injury quality improvement initiative reviewed http://ctt.ec/3708T+ @ivteam #ivteam” coverup=”TU_8b”] Abstract: Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS […]
Comparison of silicone and polyurethane PICC line complication rates
“Polyurethane PICC lines were found to provide lower rates of infection, dislodgment, thrombus and rupture complications” Seckold et al (2015). Reference: Seckold, T.L., Walker, S. and Dwyer, T. (2015) A comparison of silicone and polyurethane PICC lines and postinsertion complication rates: a systematic review. The Journal of Vascular Access. January 23rd. [epub ahead of print]. […]
CLABSI or MBI-LCBI in hematology, oncology, and stem cell transplant patients
“Most CLABSIs identified among hematology, oncology, and stem cell transplant patients met MBI-LCBI criteria, and CLABSI prevention efforts did not reduce these infections” Metzger et al (2015). Reference: Metzger, K.E., Rucker, Y., Callaghan, M., Churchill, M., Jovanovic, B.D., Zembower, T.R. and Bolon, M.K. (2015) The Burden of Mucosal Barrier Injury Laboratory-Confirmed Bloodstream Infection among Hematology, […]
CLABSI rates based on central line days or concurrent catheter days
“We examined traditional CVC day counts and resultant central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rates with a CVC day definition that included concurrent CVCs” Talbot et al (2015). Reference: Talbot, T.R., Johnson, J.G., Anders, T. and Hayes, R.M. (2015) Comparison of NHSN-Defined Central Venous Catheter Day Counts with a Method that Accounts for Concurrent Catheters. Infection […]
NHSN CLABSI data used to evaluate state-specific antibiotic resistance
“Crude state-level summary measures, based on existing NHSN CLABSI data, may suffice to assess geographic variability in antibiotic resistance” Soe et al (2015). Reference: Soe, M.M., Edwards, J.R., Sievert, D.M., Ricks, P.M., Magill, S.S. and Fridkin, S.K. (2015) Evaluating state-specific antibiotic resistance measures derived from central line-associated bloodstream infections, national healthcare safety network, 2011. Infection […]
Clinical features of central venous catheter-related candidemia
“Early detection of catheter-related candidemia is necessary to ensure that patients receive prompt and appropriate treatment” Yoshino et al (2014). Reference: Yoshino, Y., Wakabayashi, Y., Suzuki, S., Seo, K., Koga, I., Kitazawa, T., Okugawa, S. and Ota, Y. (2014) Clinical features of catheter-related candidemia at disease onset. Singapore Medical Journal. 55(11), p.579-82. [ctt tweet=”Clinical features of […]
Central venous catheters in the treatment of chronically ill children
“In order to gain long-term and secure access to the central venous system, respecting the guidelines of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention contained in the updated ‘Guidelines for the Prevention of Intravascular Catheter-Related Infections’ is necessary” Barczykowska et al (2014). Reference: Barczykowska, E., Szwed-Kolińska, M., Wróbel-Bania, A. and Ślusarz, R. (2014) The Use […]
Cardiac tamponade following central line insertion
“Cardiac tamponade following central line in a neonate is rare and an uncommon situation; however, it is potentially reversible when it is diagnosed in time. We report a case of cardiac tamponade following central line insertion” Dhanasekaran et al (2014). Reference: Dhanasekaran, R., Karthekeyan, R.B. and Vakamudi, M. (2014) Cardiac tamponade secondary to perforation of […]
Haemophilia – incidence of infections with central venous access devices
“This study reports on 15 years of experience, in a single haemophilia care centre in France, with central venous access devices (VADs) in children with haemophilia” Harroche et al (2015). Reference: Harroche, A., Merckx, J., Salvi, N., Faivre, J., Jacqmarcq, O., Dazet, D., Makhloufi, M., Clairicia, M., Torchet, M.F., Aouba, A. and Rothschild, C. (2015) […]
Coiling of guide wire in the internal jugular vein
“There are possibilities of coiling and kinking of the guide wire inside the vessel during insertion by Seldinger technique” Pal et al (2014). Reference: Pal, R.K., Laha, B., Nandy, S. and Biswas, R. (2014) Coiling of guide wire in the internal jugular vein during central venous catheter insertion: A rare complication. Indian Journal of Anaesthesia. […]
Control of hospital acquired infections in the ICU
“Our study demonstrated that by meticulously following infection control protocols especially tailored to the service setting the incidence of HAI’s can be reduced” Singh et al (2015) Reference: Singh, S., Goyal, R., Ramesh, G.S., Ravishankar, V., Sharma, R.M., Bhargava, D.V., Singh, S.K., John, M.K. and Sharma, A. (2015) Control of hospital acquired infections in the […]
Current use of ultrasound for central vascular access in children
“US was commonly used for cannulation of the internal jugular vein but infrequently for the subclavian vein. A lack of training seems to be a barrier for further increasing the use of US” Olsen et al (2015). Reference: Olsen, T.C., Rimstad, I.J., Tarpgaard, M., Holmberg, S. and Hallas, P. (2015) Current use of ultrasound for […]
Feeding bundle reduces central line utilization in neonates
“We investigated whether a standardized feeding bundle reduces central line utilization in VLBW neonates” Tauber et al (2015). Reference: Tauber, K.A., Graziano, P., Graffunder, E. and Horgan, M. (2015) Use of a Feeding Bundle Appears to Reduce Central Line Utilization in Neonates. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. January 21st. [epub ahead of print]. [ctt […]
Complication associated with double guidewire insertion
“We report a significant complication that occurred during double guidewire insertion” Fukugasako et al (2014). Reference: Fukugasako, H., Mishima, Y., Ito, A., Kozasa, Y. and Ushijima, K. (2014) A significant complication that occurred during insertion of dual guidewires into the right internal jugular vein for central venous catheterization. A A Case Reports. 3(10), p.133-5. [ctt […]
Catheter-related thrombosis and fibrin sheath in cancer patients
“Most central venous catheter (CVC)-related deep vein thromboses (DVT) are asymptomatic and their incidence and clinical relevance are still under debate” Boddi et al (2015). Reference: Boddi, M., Villa, G., Chiostri, M., Antoniis, F., Fanti, I., Spinelli, A., Savino, A., Gensini, G.F. and Pelagatti, C. (2015) Incidence of ultrasound-detected asymptomatic long-term central vein catheter-related thrombosis […]
Resource-saving advice from infectious diseases specialists
“…assess epidemiological features of patients for which a consultation by the infectious diseases consultation team was required, and the rate of clinical advice that led to resource-saving advice” Fantoni et al (2015). Reference: Fantoni, M., Murri, R., Scoppettuolo, G., Fabbiani, M., Ventura, G., Losito, R., Berloco, F., Spanu, T., Sanguinetti, M. and Cauda, R. (2015) […]
Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in critically ill patients
“Risk factors including critical illness, mechanical ventilation, sedative medications, and central venous catheter insertion are major contributing factors to the high risk of VTE” Boonyawat and Crowther (2015). Reference: Boonyawat, K. and Crowther, M.A. (2015) Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Critically Ill Patients. Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis. January 16th. [epub ahead of print]. [ctt tweet=”Venous […]
Self-administration of outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy
“The aim of this study was to evaluate outcomes of our S-OPAT programme” Subedi et al (2014). Reference: Subedi, S., Looke, D.F., McDougall, D.A., Sehu, M.M. and Playford, E.G. (2014) Supervised self-administration of outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy: a report from a large tertiary hospital in Australia. International Journal of Infectious Diseases. 30C, p.161-165. [ctt tweet=”Self-administration of outpatient […]
Self-administered OPAT service for infective endocarditis
“In conclusion, the S-OPAT schedule of hospital-in-home is safe and efficacious in selected patients with IE” Pajarón et al (2015). Reference: Pajarón, M., Fernández-Miera, M.F., Allende, I., Arnaiz, A.M., Gutiérrez-Cuadra, M., Cobo-Belaustegui, M., Armiñanzas, C., de Berrazueta, J.R., Fariñas, M.C. and Sanroma, P. (2015) Self-administered outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (S-OPAT) for infective endocarditis: A safe […]
Safe IV management in practice using H.A.N.D.S.
“This article provides back-to-basics guidance on how to deliver IV therapy safely and effectively” Frimpong et al (2015). Reference: Frimpong, A., Caguioa, J. and Octavo, G. (2015) Promoting safe IV management in practice using H.A.N.D.S. British Journal of Nursing. 24(Sup2), p.S18-S23. [ctt tweet=”Safe IV management in practice using H.A.N.D.S. http://ctt.ec/a0udd+ @ivteam #ivteam” coverup=”a0udd”] Abstract: The […]
Experiences of the first PICC team in the Czech Republic
“The first specialist nursing team placing peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) in the Czech Republic was established in September 2012” Lisova et al (2015).
Does daily bathing of critically ill patients with chlorhexidine reduce CLABSI
“…determine if daily bathing of critically ill patients with chlorhexidine decreases the incidence of health care-associated infections” Noto et al (2015). Reference: Noto, M.J., Domenico, H.J., Byrne, D.W., Talbot, T., Rice, T.W., Bernard, G.R. and Wheeler, A.P. (2015) Chlorhexidine Bathing and Health Care-Associated Infections: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. January 20th. [epub ahead of print]. […]
Sustaining a reduction in central line-associated bloodstream infection rates
“This article describes the interventions that sustained low central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rates in the Michigan Keystone ICU Project” Pronovost et al (2015). Reference: Pronovost, P.J., Watson, S.R., Goeschel, C.A., Hyzy, R.C. and Berenholtz, S.M. (2015) Sustaining Reductions in Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections in Michigan Intensive Care Units: A 10-Year Analysis. American Journal of […]
Systematic review of the safety of intravenous iron preparations
“…amass all available evidence regarding the safety of intravenous (IV) iron preparations to provide a true balance of efficacy and safety” Tomer et al (2015). Reference: Tomer, A., Amir, B., Alon, G., Hefziba, G., Leonard, L. and Anat, G.G. (2015) The Safety of Intravenous Iron Preparations: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 90(1), p.12-23. […]
Shortened infusion time of intravenous Ibuprofen
“The main purpose of the study was to determine the safety profile and efficacy of intravenous ibuprofen administered over 5 to 10 minutes for the treatment of pain or fever in hospitalized patients” Bergese et al (2015). Reference: Bergese, S.D., Candiotti, K., Ayad, S.S., Soghomonyan, S. and Gan, T.J. (2015) The Shortened Infusion Time of […]