How to write a nursing essay on Prevention of IV Infections (Solved)

Modern healthcare employs various devices and procedures during the management of patients to aid in recovery. Vascular access, via a peripheral or central vascular device, is a common procedure used to provide medication and nutrition to patients (Lim et al., 2019). Peripheral venous catheters are inserted into small peripheral veins to aid in the administration of medication, fluids, and blood. Central venous catheters are less commonly used to provide IV therapy especially for those patients requiring long-term care (Lim et al., 2019). During the management of patients using these devices, infections can occur causing harm to the patient. IV infections, either central or peripheral, are serious infections that should be prevented to minimize harm to patients and reduce healthcare costs.

Background information on Healthcare-associated infections

Healthcare-associated infections are major causes of preventable harm to patients and are an economic concern to healthcare institutions (Sun et al., 2020). Of particular concern in this discussion is intravenous (IV) therapy and associated infections that include bloodstream infections, catheter-related bloodstream infections, and central line-associated bloodstream infections. Approximately 3% to 5% of central line catheterizations result in infection in the United States(Lim et al., 2019). Economically, the CDC reported an adjusted inpatient hospital cost of nearly $30000 per patient in 2014. These statistics indicate the need to address the issue of IV infections to reduce the rate of infections, cost, and reduce prolonged hospital stays that result from the infections. The focus of the literature synthesis is to analyze available strategies to prevent IV infections and reduce the cost associated with the infections in healthcare institutions.

 Literature Synthesis

Central and peripheral line-associated infections are a major problem in hospitals worldwide. Migration of bacteria at the insertion point into the cutaneous catheter tract is the most common route of entry for peripheral infections. Central infections are observed to result from contamination of catheter lumen during routine care and lack of adherence to termination of catheterization guidelines (Hugil, 2017). To address these challenges, there is a consensus among researchers to apply the basic infection prevention protocols in healthcare. For example, researchers amicably recognize the role of hand hygiene and maintaining sterile environments during the handling of IV lines ( Hugil, 2017). Similarly, regular assessment of the IV site for pressure sores and signs of infection can aid in the early determination of infections. During routine patient care, IV lines should be flushed before and after infusion to prevent the pooling of blood in the infusion catheter (Sun et al., 2020). Apart from these strategies, IV lines should be regularly assessed and replaced after seven days to minimize the risk for infection (Lim et al., 2019)These basic infection prevention guidelines can aid in reducing IV infections during hospitalization.

The increasing admission of patients into the intensive care units (ICU) has resulted in a rise of central venous catheter (CVC) usage. These special IV lines are used to provide medication and nutrition to patients and pose the greatest risk of infection than peripheral IVs. To address infection for CVCs, the use of prevention bundles is widely recognized and proposed for improved outcomes. Care bundles significantly increase the patient’s access to the required nursing care and enable active implementation of all steps of infection prevention (Sun et al., 2020). The use of care bundles is observed to reduce phlebitis, the inflammation of veins due to blood clotting, and to address bloodstream infections although its effectiveness is still unclear (Ray-Barruel et al., 2019). The care bundles ensure healthcare providers take maximum barrier precautions, practice hand hygiene, optimally select IV line sites, and use antiseptics during routine care of insertion sites.

Conclusion

Intravenous line infections mainly occur through centrally or peripherally inserted catheters. The prevention of infection for IV lines is crucial to decrease healthcare costs associated with the infections and reduce the length of hospital stay. Peripheral IV line infections are less common and easily preventable through basic hygiene practices like hand washing, regular assessment of insertion site, and IV replacement after 7 days. Central lines are more complicated and require the use of prevention bundles that provide a guide to insertion of catheters, monitoring, and taking maximal barrier precautions.

Thesis Statement

The purpose of this project is to identify the most effective strategies for IV infection prevention and to use these strategies to reduce the rate of IV infections among ICU patients in the institution.

Project Outcomes

Outcome #1: Decreased number of peripheral line infections among ICU patients measured by patient chart review.

Outcome #2: Decreased number of central line infections among ICU patients measured through hospital quality data.

References

Hugill K. (2017). Preventing bloodstream infection in IV therapy. British Journal of Nursing (Mark Allen Publishing), 26(14), S4–S10. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2017.26.14.S4

Lim, S., Gangoli, G., Adams, E., Hyde, R., Broder, M. S., Chang, E., Reddy, S. R., Tarbox, M. H., Bentley, T., Ovington, L., & Danker, W., 3rd (2019). Increased clinical and economic burden associated with peripheral intravenous catheter-related complications: Analysis of a us hospital discharge database. Inquiry : A Journal of Medical Care Organization, Provision and Financing, 56, 46958019875562. https://doi.org/10.1177/0046958019875562

Ray-Barruel, G., Xu, H., Marsh, N., Cooke, M., & Rickard, C. M. (2019). Effectiveness of insertion and maintenance bundles in preventing peripheral intravenous catheter-related complications and bloodstream infection in hospital patients: A systematic review. Infection, Disease & Health, 24(3), 152-168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.idh.2019.03.001

Sun, Y., Bao, Z., Guo, Y., & Yuan, X. (2020). Positive effect of care bundles on patients with central venous catheter insertions at a tertiary hospital in Beijing, China. Journal of International Medical Research, 48(7), 0300060520942113. https://doi.org/10.1177/0300060520942113

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