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Campaign promotes safety by Cindy Abole Public Relations Finding ways to reduce blood stream infections through careful practices and continuous hand washing is  essential  to clinical practitioners throughout the medical center.   This practice follows guidelines set by the 2007 National Patient Safety Goals and established by MUSC’s Center for Clinical Effectiveness and Patient Safety in a campaign aimed at reducing the risk of health care-associated infections among patients.   “Our aim is to continually educate and increase that level of awareness among clinical staff,” said Mary C. Allen, R.N., coordinator of Quality and Patient Safety. “Our goal is to reduce central line infections through every opportunity, from promoting hand washing to following best practice guidelines.”   There is a risk for infection anytime there is a disruption of the skin or when a catheter is introduced into the blood stream. Bloodstream access may predispose the patient to severe infection, sepsis, organ dysfunction and possibly death.   According to a 2007 report by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), a non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care worldwide, approximately 90 percent of catheter-related blood stream infections occur with central venous line catheters (CVL). This report estimates that between 500 and 4,000 patients die annually from blood stream infections.   In 1991, the IHI developed several research-based measures to improve patient care  and support the Centers for Disease Control recommendations to prevent CVL-related bloodstream infections.   To help communicate CVL best practices, recommended measures are often grouped into bundles that, when used together, provide a greater level of effectiveness in reducing infection. The campaign recently was introduced into hospital clinical training to ensure standardized practices with patient care. The campaign featured information promoted throughout the medical center in broadcast messages, OACIS daily messages, and CVL posters displayed in departments, clinical areas and on MUSC Excellence bulletin boards, according to Linda Formby, infection control manager, Division of Quality Management and Patient Safety.   MUHA Policy 75-A  emphasizes the use of hand hygiene practices, maximal barrier precautions upon insertion (to include sterile gowns, gloves, caps, masks and a large drape; chlorhexidine skin antisepsis; catheter site selection), and a daily  review of line necessity with prompt removal of unnecessary lines.    All clinical staff are reminded to use full barrier precautions—gown, hat, gloves and mask—when handling CVLs. Practitioners who are in and out of a room when handling CVLs also should wear a mask. MUSC first introduced the CVL recommen-dations in 2002. Subsequent revisions and updates were added in 2004 and 2005 before its recent changes in May.   To aid staff in CVL management, CVL insertion carts were created and established within various nursing units of the hospital. These carts are stocked with syringes, gloves, drapes and other necessary supplies. These carts should be resupplied by area staff using Pyxis and secured daily. Additionally, physicians as well as clinical staff have been involved in proper drape selection for CVL procedures in both adult and pediatric populations.          “The carts offer a convenient, one-stop shop for CVL equipment,” said Formby. “The carts, combined with safe practices and other staff education, will be helpful as we continue to provide a safe and caring environment for our patients.”     Friday, Sept. 14, 2007 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.