Central Line Bundle Practices & Central–Line Bloodstream Infections

Developing an evaluation plan: Central line bundle practices and central–line associated bloodstream infections
Name
Course
Instructor
Date
Introduction
Central line bundles have been proposed to reduce central–line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs). Blood stream infections are a leading cause of increasing mortality and morbidity of preventable hospital acquired infections (Furuya et al., 2011). The Central line handle has been promoted, but the approach’s effectiveness is no clear. There is no guarantee that execution of the bundles will be succesful and even when adopted there are still many cases of CLABSIs infections. Nonetheless, studies suggest that adopting bundle policies reduces rates of CLABSIs, highlighting the need to improve culture of safety upon adopting the bundles (Furuya et al., 2011). This paper highlights that central line bundle practices are effective in reducing central line associated blood stream infections in comparison to universal precautions in patients with central venous catheter. The paper also focuses on methods to improve effectiveness of central bundle practices, including tools to educate participants, variables in project outcome, and tools to evaluate project outcomes.
Methods to evaluate the effectiveness of proposed solution
In order to evaluate project’s progress, it is necessary to educate nurses on how to reduce incidences of CLABSI, while focusing on lowering mortality and morbidity. Additionally, relying on evidence-based practice is likely to have a positive impact in reducing CLABSI rates by focusing on ensuring compliance to bundle practices and ensuring that there is proper hand hygiene (Houser & Oman, 2011). Furthermore, the education sessions should focus on how to ensure precautions in case of venous catheter insertion. Overall, maintaining hygiene and safety while also sterilizing lines, reduces rate of preventable CLABSIs. An education program that addresses infection prevention facilitates successful implementation of central line bundle.
Nurses’ perception
Even though, various interventions have reduced morbidity, mortality, and costs associated with CLABSI, the role of nursing perceptions should not be ignored in implementing changes. Nurses should ideally have a positive view about the need to use central line bundles in order to improve health outcomes. Even when nurses know about guidelines, lack of process standardization may impact negatively on their perceptions. Nurses are also more motivated to use central line bundles when there is better organization, where equipment to ensure that central lines are well stocked. Essentially, the education should align the needs of improving patient outcome, while highlighting on ways to reduce workflow complexity.
Clinical nurse specialists’ perceptions
Clinical nurse specialists play an important role, as they bring together a team of nurses to improve success rates in managing infections. Essentially, an interdisciplinary team that implements strategies is best suited to ensure that nurses make the most appropriate decisions by relying on evidence-based practice when utilizing central line bundles. Clinical nurse specialists will ...