Vascular access is the rapid and direct access to the bloodstream to introduce or remove fluids. Vascular access management concerns the products and best practices used to reduce vascular-related complications like central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs).
How a preventable infection can be deadly both for patients and facilites?
What are the potential causes of CLABSIs?
A CLABSI can happen when bacteria or other germs enter the patient’s central line and get into the bloodstream, which can cause a serious infection.
There are many ways to prevent CLABSIs. This starts with practicing good hand hygiene. In addition to this, each time the central line is accessed, the cap should be disinfected. Keeping an eye on the dressing and insertion site is important too. The dressing should not become loose, soiled or wet, and patients shouldn’t touch the central line and tubing.
65 – 70%
Percentage of CLABSIs that may be preventable with evidence-based practices¹
€4,200
Additional associated costs of treating CLABSIs per patient; can be as high as €13,030²
5X
Higher likelihood of readmittance
for CLABSI patients³
4 – 14 days
Average length of additional hospital stay when nosocomial bloodstream infections occur³
25%
Patient mortality rate with
CLABSI ranges from 12 – 25%⁴
Vicious circle of CLABSIs
This circle represents the causes and effects that can lead to CLABSIs. This leads to unhappy patients and families, but also impact clinicians' mindset, and ultimately create extra costs to the facilities.
Video
We have interviewed clinicians that were stuck into this circle, they agreed to share their experience to create awareness - meet them below:
Blog
Read our Blog written by a former patient who developed CLABSI during her stay at the hospital:
CLABSI Prevention Strategies
This vicious circle of CLABSI seems unstoppable, but knowing that you are already experiencing this is a first step in transforming this into a virtuous circle. Creating a culture of safety by empowering your clinicians is important, as well as giving access to trainings.
Process standardisation
Standardization is the first step to stop the circle and to empower your team. Discover our Best practices based on evidence and studies.
How to standardise your CVC process?
Education and training
Medline is hosting Dr. XXX to talk about CLABSI and how to empower your team to make CLABSI second nature.
Register to our webinar!
Solution that comes in bundle
Knowing the Good Practices is a first step, Medline is offering innovative products to help you to fight CLABSI. Discover our Sorbaview Shield portfolio.
Discover Sorbaview Shield!