Rapid reduction of central line infections in hospitalized pediatric oncology patients through simple quality improvement methods.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric hematology-oncology (PHO) patients are at significant risk for developing central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLA-BSIs) due to their prolonged dependence on such catheters. Effective strategies to eliminate these preventable infections are urgently needed. In this study, we investigated the implementation of bundled central line maintenance practices and their effect on hospital-acquired CLA-BSIs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CLA-BSI rates were analyzed within a single-institution's PHO unit between January 2005 and June 2011. In May 2008, a multidisciplinary quality improvement team developed techniques to improve the PHO unit's safety culture and implemented the use of catheter maintenance practices tailored to PHO patients. Data analysis was performed using time-series methods to evaluate the pre- and post-intervention effect of the practice changes. RESULTS: The pre-intervention CLA-BSI incidence was 2.92 per 1,000-patient days (PD) and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus was the most prevalent pathogen (29%). In the post-intervention period, the CLA-BSI rate decreased substantially (45%) to 1.61 per 1,000-PD (P < 0.004). Early on, blood and marrow transplant (BMT) patients had a threefold higher CLA-BSI rate compared to non-BMT patients (P < 0.033). With additional infection control countermeasures added to the bundled practices, BMT patients experienced a larger CLA-BSI rate reduction such that BMT and non-BMT CLA-BSI rates were not significantly different post-intervention. CONCLUSIONS: By adopting and effectively implementing uniform maintenance catheter care practices, learning multidisciplinary teamwork, and promoting a culture of patient safety, the CLA-BSI incidence in our study population was significantly reduced and maintained.

Rebound in ventilator-associated pneumonia rates during a prevention checklist washout period.

OBJECTIVE To describe the washout effect after stopping a prevention checklist for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). METHODS VAP rates were prospectively monitored for special cause variation over 42 months in a paediatric intensive care unit. A VAP prevention bundle was implemented, consisting of head of bed elevation, oral care, suctioning device management, ventilator tubing care, and standard infection control precautions. Key practices of the bundle were implemented with a checklist and subsequently incorporated into the nursing and respiratory care bedside flow sheets to achieve long-term sustainability. Compliance with the VAP bundle was monitored throughout. The timeline for the project was retrospectively categorised into the benchmark phase, the checklist phase (implementation), the checklist washout phase, and the flowsheet phase (cues in the flowsheet). RESULTS During the checklist phase (12 months), VAP bundle compliance rose from <50% to >75% and the VAP rate fell from 4.2 to 0.7 infections per 1000 ventilator days (p<0.059). Unsolicited qualitative feedback from frontline staff described overburdensome documentation requirements, form fatigue, and checklist burnout. During the checklist washout phase (4 months), VAP rates rose to 4.8 infections per 1000 ventilator days (p<0.042). In the flowsheet phase, the VAP rate dropped to 0.8 infections per 1000 ventilator days (p<0.047). CONCLUSIONS Salient cues to drive provider behaviour towards best practice are helpful to sustain process improvement, and cessation of such cues should be approached warily. Initial education, year-long habit formation, and effective early implementation demonstrated no appreciable effect on the VAP rate during the checklist washout period.

Fabry disease in mice is associated with age-dependent susceptibility to vascular thrombosis.

Fabry disease is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder due to deficiency of alpha-galactosidase A (GLA) activity that results in the widespread accumulation of neutral glycosphingolipids. Renal failure, neuropathy, premature myocardial infarction, and stroke occur in patients with this condition primarily due to deposition of glycosphingolipids in vascular endothelial cells. The clinical consequences of Fabry disease suggest that vascular thrombosis may play a prominent role in the pathogenesis of this disease; however, the vasculopathy associated with Fabry disease has not been extensively studied. To determine if mice genetically deficient in Gla are susceptible to vascular thrombosis, a photochemical carotid injury model was used to induce occlusive thrombosis. In this model, Gla-/0 mice displayed a progressive age-dependent shortening of the time to occlusive thrombosis after vascular injury that correlated with progressive accumulation of globotriasylceramide (Gb3) in the arterial wall. Bone marrow transplantation from Gla-/0 to Gla+/0 mice and from Gla+/0 to Gla-/0 mice did not change the thrombotic phenotype of the host. These studies reveal a potent vascular prothrombotic phenotype in Gla-deficient mice and suggest that antithrombotic therapies as well as therapies designed to reduce the vascular accumulation of Gb3 may have beneficial effects on thrombotic complications in patients with Fabry disease.

Barriers to breastfeeding among African American adolescent mothers.

The purpose of this study was to define the barriers to breastfeeding in the inner city African American adolescent mother. The study was conducted at Johnnie Ruth Clarke Health Center in St. Petersburg, Florida from October 1999 to February 2000. The study population included 25 African American adolescent mothers between the ages of 15 and 21 years. The results indicate that these mothers possess adequate knowledge about the benefits of breast milk. The greatest barriers to breastfeeding included pain, embarrassment, and lack of interest. These concerns are appropriate given their developmental stage; however, interventions are necessary to address these issues.