National Patient Safety Awareness Week

At Shenandoah Memorial Hospital in Woodstock, Virginia we identified a need based on infection control reporting of central line infections hospital wide. We developed a committee to review all research on best practices for preventing central line infections. We had a physician, nurses from each unit, infection control nurse, and performance improvement on the committee. A checklist was developed to send to infection control to assure compliance with all recommended practices for inserting central lines. At SMH, we start with a timeout form, physician and nurse assistant both wear gowns, masks, and gloves. Pt. is covered with a full body drape and sterile technique is maintained during the entire procedure. We mark on the checklist whether all of these guidelines were followed. Central line dressing is changed every 48 hours using a central line dressing kit. For the 2009 we had 0 central line site infections.

Robin Scruggs, RN

Charge Nurse

Intensive Care Unit

Shenandoah Memorial Hospital

VA