'Adiós Bacteriemias': a multi-country quality improvement collaborative project to reduce the incidence of CLABSI in Latin American ICUs.

QUALITY PROBLEM: The incidence of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) in Latin America has been estimated at 4.9 episodes per 1000 central line (CL) days, compared to a pooled incidence of 0.9 in the United States. CLABSI usually result from not adhering to standardized health procedures and can be prevented using evidence-based practices. INITIAL ASSESSMENT: The first phase of the 'Adiós Bacteriemias' Collaborative was implemented in 39 intensive care units (ICUs) from Latin America from September 2012 to September 2013 with a 56% overall reduction in the incidence of CLABSI. CHOICE OF SOLUTION: Bundles of care for the processes of insertion and maintenance of CLs have proven to be effective in the reduction of CLABSI across different settings. IMPLEMENTATION: Building on the results of the first phase, we implemented a second phase of the 'Adiós Bacteriemias' Collaborative between June 2014-July 2015. We adapted the Breakthrough Series (BTS) Collaborative model to guide the adoption of bundles of care for CLABSI prevention through virtual learning sessions and continuous feedback. EVALUATION: Eighty-three ICUs from five Latin American countries actively reported process and outcome measures. The overall reduction in the CLABSI incidence rate was 22% (incidence rate 0.78; 95% CI 0.65, 0.95), from 2.58 episodes per 1000 CL days at baseline to 2.02 episodes per 1000 CL days (P < 0.01) during the intervention period. LESSONS LEARNED: Adiós Bacteriemias was effective in reducing the incidence of CLABSI and improving the adherence to good practices for CL insertion and maintenance processes in participating ICUs in Latin America.

Assessment of knowledge and implementation practices of the ventilator acquired pneumonia (VAP) bundle in the intensive care unit of a private hospital.

Studies have shown that a ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) bundle significantly decreases VAP rates. In this study, we evaluated existing knowledge, practices, and adherence of nurses and infection control preventionists (ICP) to the VAP bundles of care in the intensive care unit (ICU) by using qualitative and quantitative tools. Of 60 participants (56 nurses and 4 ICPs), mean knowledge score regarding specific evidence-based VAP guidelines was 5 (range 3-8) out of 10 points. Self-reported adherence to the VAP bundle ranged from 38.5 to 100%, with perfect compliance to head of bed elevation, and poorest compliance with readiness to extubate. Overall VAP median bundle compliance was 84.6%. Knowledge regarding specific components of VAP prevention is lacking. Formal training and interactive educational sessions should be performed regularly to assess the competency of key personnel regarding the VAP bundle, especially in the context of rapid nurse turnover. Incentives for retention of nurses should also be considered, so that knowledge of hospital specific initiatives such as the VAP bundles of care can be cultivated over time.

Bundles of care for prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in the ICU.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the treatment efficacy of bundles of care for the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) caused by carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in the intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: A total of 102 patients undergoing mechanical ventilation in the ICU of our hospital were randomly assigned into a research group (n=51, bundles of care) and a control group (n=51, routine care). The incidence of VAP, pathogenic bacteria in the sputum, outcome and medication compliance (Morisky medication adherence scale (MMAS) score) of patients as well as the hand hygiene rate of nurses were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The research group showed significantly shorter time of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay, lower incidence of VAP and less ICU hospitalization costs than the control group (all P<0.05). The detection rate of pathogenic bacteria in the research group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.01). Both the MMAS score and the hand hygiene rate of nurses were higher in the research group than in the control group (both P<0.01). The mortality of the research group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Bundles of care for patients undergoing mechanical ventilation in ICU can greatly shorten the time of mechanical ventilation, reduce nosocomial infection, decrease the incidence of VAP and the mortality, and is conducive to improving the hand hygiene of nurses and the medication compliance of patients.

[Influence of cluster nursing intervention on inadequate drainage in vacuum sealing drainage for inpatients in burn unit].

Objective: To explore the influence of cluster nursing intervention on inadequate drainage in vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) for inpatients in burn unit. Methods: From October to December 2016, 60 patients, aged (43.6±2.8) years admitted to our department, receiving VSD treatment and conforming to the inclusion criteria, were included in the routine nursing group, and among the patients, 37 cases were male and 23 cases were female. From May to July 2017, 58 patients, aged (44.2±3.2) years admitted to our department, receiving VSD treatment and conforming to the inclusion criteria, were included in the cluster nursing group, and among the patients, 36 cases were male and 22 cases were female. The patients' medical records were retrospectively analyzed. After VSD treatment, patients in routine nursing group received routine nursing, and patients in cluster nursing group received cluster nursing. A cluster intervention group was formed and headed by a chief surgeon. The cluster nursing plan was formulated and implemented strictly from the following six aspects of material preparation, negative pressure value control and negative pressure mode setting, drainage tube nursing, semi-permeable membrane reinforcement, standardizing changing process and timing of drainage capsule, and health education. During VSD treatment, the incidence of inadequate drainage, reasons of inadequate drainage and the occurrences, occurrences of inadequate drainage of wounds in different types and sites, and satisfaction of patients in two groups were observed and calculated. The patient satisfaction items included procedure of drainage capsule replacement, the method of tube fixation, the content and form of health education. Data were processed with independent sample t test and chi-square test. Results: (1) During VSD treatment, the incidence of inadequate drainage of patients in routine nursing group was 43.33% (130/300), which was significantly higher than 17.24% (50/290) in cluster nursing group (χ(2)=43.350, P<0.01). (2) During VSD treatment, the incidences of inadequate drainage caused by blockage of drainage tube due to scabbing of drainage, low negative pressure, air leakage of semi-permeable membrane, improper changing process of drainage capsule, shedding, compression, reversal of drainage tube of patients in cluster nursing group were 7.93% (23/290), 4.48% (13/290), 1.72% (5/290), 1.03% (3/290), and 2.07% (6/290), respectively, significantly lower than 16.67% (50/300), 11.67% (35/300), 4.33% (13/300), 4.00% (12/300), and 6.67% (20/300) in routine nursing group (χ(2)=10.379, 22.951, 4.832, 7.840, 7.399, P<0.05 or P<0.01). (3) During VSD treatment, the incidences of inadequate drainage of burn wounds, trauma wounds, pressure ulcer, venous ulcer in lower limbs, and diabetic foot of patients in cluster nursing group were significantly lower than those in routine nursing group (χ(2)=17.835, 6.809, 9.478, 4.939, 8.631, P<0.05 or P<0.01). During VSD treatment, the incidences of inadequate drainage of wounds in different types of patients in the same group were close (χ(2)=0.434, 0.057, P>0.05). (4) During VSD treatment, the incidences of inadequate drainage of wounds in limbs, trunk, buttocks, and sacrococcyx of patients in cluster nursing group were significantly lower than those in routine nursing group (χ(2)=31.892, 9.588, 4.939, 4.549, P<0.05 or P<0.01). During VSD treatment, the incidences of inadequate drainage of wounds in different wound sites of patients in the same group were close (χ(2)=0.071, 0.069, P>0.05). (5) The satisfaction scores in changing process of drainage capsule, method of tube fixation, content and form of health education of patients in cluster nursing group after VSD treatment were significantly higher than those in routine nursing group (t=5.166, 4.471, 7.958, 8.975, P<0.01). Conclusions: Cluster nursing intervention on patients receiving VSD treatment could reduce the incidences of inadequate drainage of wounds in different types and sites caused by various reasons. It also can improve patient satisfaction.

Hospital Postacute Care Referral Networks: Is Referral Concentration Associated with Medicare-Style Bundled Payments?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether Medicare-style bundled payments are lower or higher for beneficiaries discharged from hospitals with postacute care (PAC) referrals concentrated among fewer PAC providers. DATA SOURCE: Medicare Part A and Part B claim (2008-2012) for all beneficiaries residing in any of 17 market areas: the Provider of Service file, the Healthcare Cost Report Information System, and the Dartmouth Atlas. STUDY DESIGN: An observational study in which hospitals were distinguished according to PAC referral concentration, which is the tendency to utilize fewer rather than more PAC providers. We tested the hypothesis that higher referral concentration would be associated with total Medicare bundled payments. DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS: The data represent a convenience sample of market areas that were defined by the locations of grantees from the ONC Beacon Community Program. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The four most-used PAC providers accounted for an average of 60 percent of patients discharged from hospitals in the sample. Regression analysis suggested that higher referral concentration was associated with lower Medicare costs per bundle. CONCLUSIONS: Hospitals that tend to use fewer PAC providers may lead to lower costs for payers such as Medicare. The study results reinforce the importance of limited networks for PAC services under bundling arrangements for hospital and PAC payments.