USF Scholarship: a digital repository @ Gleeson Library | Geschke Center
Abstract
Central lines are frequently used in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for the administration of medications and total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Central line-associated blood stream infections (CLABSIs) have the potential to cause harm in the vulnerable neonate. Current evidence shows that having a CLABSI bundle compliance rate of 95 percent or greater correlates with a reduction in CLABSI occurrences. The purpose of this project is to increase compliance to CLABSI prevention practices in the NICU through education and ongoing central line audits. Baseline line audit data revealed an 80 percent compliance rate (n = 50) and 50 percent of nurses answered at least one question incorrectly in a survey of the central line care protocol (n = 10). Post-intervention data showed an increase in CLABSI bundle compliance to 91 percent (n =24). Additionally, after taking a 1-hour CLABSI prevention class, 20 percent of nurses answered at least one question incorrectly on the protocol survey (n = 5). During the time of this study, there were no CLABSIs. It is recommended that central line audits continue in order to monitor for potential CLABSI risks. It is also recommended that ongoing CLABSI prevention education be provided to nursing staff in order to achieve a 95 percent compliance rate