Safety First: Annual Physician Infection Prevention Review

What can I do to prevent central line associated bloodstream infections for my patients?

• Determine if a central line is necessary.
• Select an insertion site with lower rates of infection – subclavian and/or PICC.
• Select a catheter with the minimal number of needed ports.
• Perform hand hygiene with an antiseptic agent prior to insertion.
• Prep the insertion site with chlorhexidine gluconate before insertion and request it for site care.
• Wear a hair cover, surgical mask, sterile gown and sterile gloves to protect the sterile insertion field.
• Drape the patient with a sterile full body drape – head to toe.
• Order daily bath from the neck down, avoiding non-intact skin areas, with 4% chlorhexidine gluconate.
• Scrub the hub for 20 seconds with chlorhexidine gluconate before accessing a line.
• Remove and/or replace central lines inserted under emergent conditions within 24 hours.
• Assess patient daily for line necessity.