Owning vascular access devices beyond initial line insertion allows vascular access specialists to fulfill the value of their expertise and lower patient risks, such as Catheter Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection (CLABSI). However, dedicated team rounding and site care is not enough to prevent the loss of device dressing adherence. Even the most promptly replaced disrupted dressing still increases the risk of CLABSI, due to unintended and uncontrolled site exposure.

This presentation covers the use of a gum mastic product in vascular access site care combined with rounding and site care delivered by a dedicated team of vascular access specialists. It describes an experience spanning rationale, product trial, initial data review, and implementation across three facilities. It culminates with objective and observational data from over one year later.

The surgical site infection (SSI) prevention bundle is more complex and more rapidly evolving when compared to other healthcare-associated prevention bundles and keeping apprised of the latest innovations is often challenging for infection preventionists and perioperative teams. This presentation will highlight some of the more recent innovative practices and technologies, that when used as adjuncts to current surgical care practices, can reduce SSI risk among certain surgical patient populations.

This presentation will provide attendees with an optimal vascular access specialty team (VAST) approach by applying Lean thinking in the application of a catheter success bundle with the goal of 1 patient, 1 IV catheter insertion with 1 attempt.  The 5-part bundle, established using a LEAN/Six Sigma methodology, Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control approach, demonstrated that the skilled IV clinician achieves better outcomes than the generalist model.  Results on improved outcomes and cost savings will be discussed.

Continuing Education (CE) Credits are available. This course offers 1.0 content hour which will be awarded after completion of post course assessment and/or survey.  The content is available on the AVA Academy website and is accessible FREE of charge to AVA members and non-members. 

Under-reported, under-recognized, and most often ignored are the infections associated with peripheral vascular access devices (PVADs) i.e. short peripheral catheters (SPC) and midline catheters (MC). However, that is soon to change with ECRI call out to the problem along with the impending Hospital Onset Bacteremia surveillance requirement.  Consider the answers to these questions: Do you know your institution’s Peripheral Vascular Access Device (PVAD) infection rate? How many of your CLABSIs are PVAD-BSIs?

These questions and more will be addressed in this session along with recommendations for re-engineering practice with an evidence-based components of care model.