The role of nurses working in emergency and critical care environments in the prevention of intravascular catheter-related bloodstream infections

Vandijck, Dominique M.; Labeau, Sonia O.; Secanell, Mariona; Rello, Jordi; Blot, Stijn I.

doi:10.1016/j.ienj.2008.07.005

« Previous Next »International Emergency Nursing
Volume 17, Issue 1 , Pages 60-68, January 2009

The role of nurses working in emergency and critical care environments in the prevention of intravascular catheter-related bloodstream infections

Dominique M. Vandijck, (RN, CCRN, MSc, MA) (PhD Candidate)
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Intensive Care Department of the Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +32 9 332 50 47; fax: +32 9 332 49 95.
Sonia O. Labeau, (RN, MNSc) (PhD Student)
- Faculty of Healthcare, Ghent University College, Keramiekstraat 85, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Tel.: +32 9 321 21 11; fax: +32 9 220 17 26.
Mariona Secanell, (RN) (Professor)
- Joan XXIII University Hospital, Pere Virgili Health Institute, University of Rovira and Virgili, CIBER, Enfermedades Respiratorias, Department of Intensive Care, Tarragona, Spain
- Tel.: +34 977 29 58 18; fax: +34 977 29 58 78.
Jordi Rello, (MD, PhD) (Research Assistant)
- Joan XXIII University Hospital, Pere Virgili Health Institute, University of Rovira and Virgili, CIBER, Enfermedades Respiratorias, Department of Intensive Care, Tarragona, Spain
- Tel.: +34 977 29 58 18; fax: +34 977 29 58 78.
Stijn I. Blot, (RN, CCRN, MNSc, PhD) (Professor)
- Ghent University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Faculty of Healthcare, Ghent University College, Ghent, Belgium
- Tel.: +32 9 332 62 16; fax: +32 9 332 49 95.

Received 18 April 2008; received in revised form 16 July 2008; accepted 16 July 2008.

Abstract

Intravascular catheter-related infections are a major problem in healthcare. This review provides up-to-date guidance of evidence-based recommendations for the prevention of intravascular catheter-related infections with special focus on strategies relevant for nurses working in emergency and critical care environments or practitioners responsible for surveillance and control of infections. The review concludes by providing a range of approaches advocated for: (i) translating guidelines to the needs and expectations of emergency and critical care nurses, and (ii) increasing the chance of successful implementation and compliance with these recommendations.

Keywords: Emergency and critical care nurses, Prevention, Catheter-related bloodstream infection