American journal of infection control
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Am J Infect Control · Sep 2010
Decreasing ventilator-associated pneumonia in adult intensive care units using the Institute for Healthcare Improvement bundle.
Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) increases in-hospital mortality of ventilated patients to 46%, compared with 32% for ventilated patients who do not develop VAP. In addition, VAP prolongs time spent on the ventilator, length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and length of hospital stay. ⋯ Implementing the IHI VAP bundle significantly resulted in the reduction of the VAP rate with potential great cost avoidance.
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Urinary catheters are the major cause of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) and often may be unnecessary. We attempted to reduce the number of CAUTIs by limiting the use of urinary catheters. ⋯ Limiting urinary catheter use can reduce the incidence of CAUTI with no deterioration in nursing satisfaction.
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Am J Infect Control · Sep 2010
Diurnal variation in hand hygiene compliance in a tertiary level multidisciplinary intensive care unit.
Hand hygiene compliance among health care providers is considered to be the single most effective factor to reduce hospital acquired infections. Despite continuous education and awareness, compliance with hand hygiene guidelines has remained low, particularly during evening shifts. ⋯ Whereas compliance with hand hygiene guidelines was lower at night compared with day, irrespective of discipline in all 3 groups of health care providers, both periods of compliance would benefit from additional training focusing on the importance of hand hygiene around the clock.