Expanding the infection prevention toolkit
 |
|
3M Tegaderm Matrix dressing with PHIT
technology |
Cardinal Health’s
ChloraPrep
with 2% CHG. |
 |
|
Comfort Bath rinse-free, disposable washcloths
from
Sage Products provide one-step cleansing and moisturizing,
eliminating the need for soap and water and a potential source
of HAI’s: the bath basin. |
 |
|
Kimberly Clark’s KimVent 24-Hour Oral Care q4
and q2 Kits provide a systematic and flexible oral care system
developed to assist caregivers in meeting the CDC’s
recommendations for patients at risk for VAP. |
While there are many tried and true products that are the staple of
any infection preventionist’s toolkit, it’s also important to be on
the lookout for new developments that can enhance existing efforts.
According to Sue Barnes, national leader, infection prevention and
control and patient safety, Kaiser Permanente Program Offices, and a
member of the National APIC communications committee, "some examples
of new products for which there is promising initial evidence, but not
yet large randomized controlled studies include antimicrobial
impregnated dressings to reduce post op infections, and chlorhexidine
impregnated bathing cloths to reduce device associated infections as
well as transmission of MRSA and C.diff."
Additional products which may be in place in some medical centers,
but not all and for which there may be
less than category 1 evidence to support, noted Barnes include:
Bloodstream infection (BSI) prevention
• chlorhexidine impregnated site dressings for use on all centrally
and peripherally inserted central catheters
• sutureless adhesive anchoring devices for central lines
Ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) prevention
• chlorhexidine oral rinse for use as part of a routine oral care
program
• yankauer suction wand holster to keep wand off floor and out of
patient bed
• antimicrobial impregnated and continuous intermittent suction
endotracheal tubes
Surgical site infection (SSI) prevention
• dual agent skin preps – alcohol plus either chlorhexidine or
povidone iodine for example
• antimicrobial impregnated incise drapes
Barnes helped developed Kaiser Permanente’s Infection Prevention
Plus Measures Toolkit which includes many products which are above and
beyond standard infection prevention measures. This toolkit can be
accessed via the following URL:
http://nursingpathways.kp.org/national/
quality/infectioncontrol/toolkit/index.html.
