Abstract TP85: A Collaborative Approach In The Reduction Of Hospital Acquired Infections In A Neuroscience ICU

Intro: HAIs such as catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) and central line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) increase morbidity, mortality, healthcare cost, and account for a significant burden of patient harm. We describe efforts between nursing, Infection Prevention (IP), and clinicians in the reduction of HAI-CAUTIs and HAI-CLABSIs on a neuroscience intensive care unit (NeuroICU) in an academic acute care hospital. Methods: Using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Targeted Assessment for Prevention (TAP) framework [Target, Assess, Prevent], IP identified the Neuro-ICU as having an excess burden of HAI-CAUTIs and HAI-CLABSIs and facilitated interdisciplinary engagement. In partnership, nursing, IP, and Neuro-ICU clinicians, developed action plans focused on foley catheter (FC) and central line (CL) utilization, FC bundle compliance, FC maintenance competency validation, and training on central line maintenance. Monthly meetings to discuss progress and identify barriers were performed. Neuro-ICU clinicians and nurse managers performed device rounds twice a day to discuss device necessity utilizing a nurse-driven protocol, and verified FC and CL removal. This project used the CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) healthcare-associated infection (HAI) tracking system to compute standardized infection ratios, HAI events, FC utilization, and CL utilization. CLABSI and CAUTI bundle compliance were evaluated using an electronic audit tool. Staff competency validation and education attendance were tracked. The project period was from September 2020-July 2021 for CAUTI and January 2021-July 2021 for CLABSI. Results: HAI-CAUTI events decreased from 6 to 1, the standardized infection ratio (SIR) reduced from 3.003 to 0.593, and the FC utilization ratio decreased from 0.36 to 0.31 from October 2019- August 2020 to September 2020-July 2021. HAI-CLABSI events decreased from 1 to 0, CL utilization ratio decreased from 3.31 to 2.81 from June 2020- December 2020 to January 2021- July 2021. Conclusions: These results suggest that an interdisciplinary approach and robust IP practices may be an effective approach to improving patient safety and reducing patient harm.