PREVENTION OF CATHETER-ASSOCIATED BLOODSTREAM INFECTIONS

Prevention

What can hospital do to help prevent catheter-associated bloodstream infections?

Doctors/Nurses will need to do the following:

Choose a vein where the catheter can be safely inserted and where the risk of infection is low

Proper hand hygiene before placing the catheter

Wear a mask, cap, sterile gown, and sterile gloves when putting in the catheter to keep it sterile. Also cover the patient with sterile sheet

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Clean the patient’s skin with an antiseptic cleanser prior to catheter placement

Proper hand hygiene, gloves, and clean the catheter opening with an antiseptic solution before using the catheter to draw blood or give medications

Proper hand hygiene and sterile technique when changing the catheter dressing


Assess everyday if the patient still needs to have the catheter, remove as soon as possible

Patients who have catheter need to do the following:

Ask doctors and nurses to explain why they need the catheter and how long they should expect to have it

Ask healthcare personnel if they are using proper prevention techniques when handling the catheter

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Make sure ALL healthcare personnel clean their hands before caring for you

If the bandage comes off notify your healthcare team immediately

Inform healthcare team if you notice pain or redness at catheter site

Make sure visitors also follow proper hand hygiene before visiting you

Some patients may be sent home with catheter from the hospitals if so you need to do the following:

Make sure you understand how to care for the catheter, always ask your healthcare team questions, for example, how will I bath when I get home?

Make sure you have contact information of your healthcare team in case you have questions or problems after discharge

ALWAYS watch for s/s of infection, soreness or redness at the catheter site, fever, chills, if you notice any of these signs  call your healthcare team IMMEDIATELY

Reference:

www.cdc.gov