✨High FIVE to Carilion Children’s Hospital!
The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Carilion Children’s Hospital in Roanoke, VA has had lots to celebrate! Nationwide, healthcare-associated infections are the primary cause of preventable death among hospitalized patients. By consistently following best practices and implementing bundle elements through Solutions for Patient Safety (SPS) – a network of pediatric hospitals working together to eliminate serious harm across all children’s hospitals – the PICU team has reached not one, but two milestones that once were thought to be impossible:
As of October 2024, they have been celebrating ZERO central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) for FIVE years! Some of the bundle elements implemented were daily chlorhexidine baths and linen changes for patients with central lines, daily discussions of line necessity and function, and standardizing procedures for accessing lines and dressing changes.
As of November 2024, they have been celebrating ZERO catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) for FIVE years! They achieved this amazing milestone by implementing bundle elements such as avoiding unnecessary catheterizations, the use of aseptic technique for insertion, maintaining hygiene, reviewing catheter necessity daily, and removing catheters when no longer needed.
These remarkable achievements were only possible because of the continued excellence in engagement, compliance, and communication among Carilion Children’s PICU staff!
|
