In October of 2018, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) working together with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched a series of Quick Observation Tools (QUOTs) to assist healthcare facilities in their infection prevention initiatives.[1] The tools, available for free download here, enable rapid assessment and remediation of infection risks targeting 20 different areas or environments such as central venous catheters, urinary catheters and hand hygiene.

Each quick observation tool is designed as a worksheet with as many as 10 assessments gleaned from published infection prevention recommendations. Dr. Ryan Fagan, MD, Medical Officer at the CDC observes[1]:

“These tools are designed to be completed in just a few minutes each with a simple set of observations, and should be repeated over time to track improvements.”

And improvements are needed. For example, while central line‐associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rates have decreased significantly since 2008, an estimated 30,100 CLABSI still occur in US acute care facilities each year.[2] In addition to significantly increased morbidity and mortality, financial analyses estimate that CLABSIs cost approximately $46,000 per case[3] – amounting to a staggering $1.4 billion of potentially avoidable costs each year.

A look at the QUOT for central venous catheters, available here, highlights the importance of intact dressings over the catheter insertion site:

Observation 1: Is the dressing adhesive intact over the catheter insertion site and drainage contained? (This question is for all dressings, including chlorhexidine gluconate‐CHG dressings)

The importance of intact dressings for vascular access sites cannot be over‐emphasized. In fact, studies have demonstrated that vascular access dressing disruptions happen frequently and are a major risk factor for catheter‐related bloodstream infections.[4]

Eloquest Healthcare, Inc. can partner with your institution to facilitate a Point Prevalence Survey for vascular access dressing adherence with a goal of understanding the rate of dressing adherence at your facility and ensuring compliance with evidence‐based guidelines for dressing care and maintenance.

How does it work? The Eloquest team delivers vascular access dressing adherence information with minimal disruption to your staff. The Point Prevalence Observations are performed by an Eloquest Healthcare Representative (reporting directly to RN and/or Charge Nurse) without compromising HIPAA guidelines and after following all hygiene and isolation precautions. Click here to schedule your Point Prevalence Assessment today!

Information collected includes:

1. Type and location of catheter
2. Date of dressing change
3. Dressing assessment (intact, edges lifting, reinforced, partially detached, totally detached, dry, wet, leaking, bleeding, etc)
4. Assessment of skin condition (intact, moist, skin stripping, blister, skin tear, irritation, maceration, etc)

Your facility will be given all accumulated data and a comprehensive report, including details regarding infection risk, nurse efficiency and a financial analysis.

For more information about initiating a Vascular Access Dressing Adherence Point Prevalence Assessment, please contact your sales consultant or Eloquest Healthcare®, Inc., at 1‐877‐433‐ 7626 or visit www.eloquesthealthcare.com.

Minimizing infection risk is an essential part of optimizing “The Triple Aim” of the Affordable Care Act. Eloquest Healthcare is committed to providing solutions that can help you reduce the risk of conditions like a central line‐associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI).

1. APIC and CDC develop Quick Observation Tools to help prevent HAIs. [Press Release]. October 18, Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. https://apic.org/For-Media/News-Releases/Article?id=e90b8537-db08-4ebe-8486-5d816c969678
2. Bloodstream infection event (central line‐associated bloodstream infection and non‐central line associated bloodstream infection). US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). January 2019. Available at: https://cdc.gov/nhsn/pdfs/pscmanual/4psc_clabscurrent.pdf. Accessed January 7, 2019.
3. Haddadin Y, Regunath H. Central line associated blood stream infections (CLABSI). NCBI Bookshelf. National Library of Medicine. Updated January 20, 2019. https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430891/. Accessed January 7, 2019.
4. Timsit JF, Bouadma L, Ruckly S, et al. Dressing disruption is a major risk factor for catheter‐related infections. Crit Care Med. 2012;40:1707‐14.