Case Study: Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital 2023 Achievement Award (In Safe Hands)

A Huddle a Day Keeps the Microbes Away
In Safe Hands - Medium Division

The Goal

During the 2021 COVID pandemic, a marked increase was experienced in Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI) and Central Line-Associated Blood Stream Infection (CLABSI) rates. Staffing challenges along with increased patient acuity called for a whole hospital, team approach to Hospital Acquired Infection (HAI) reduction. The goal was to reduce CAUTI and CLABSI rates to below 1.0 per 1,000 device days.

Intervention

The chief nursing officer, infection control manager, and quality improvement specialist collaborated to create and implement a hospital-wide Daily Device Huddle that went live during May of 2022. This huddle is designed to assess indications for the device, discuss plans for removal or use of alternative devices, and escalate any barriers that may arise. Nurse managers are prepared to discuss devices on their respective units. The hospital President, CMO, and CNO support the team in working through barriers for device removal or use of device alternatives.

Results

Although we have had some fluctuation since the start of the Daily Device Huddle, the trendline shows a positive impact by the decreased incidence of CAUTI and CLABSI over time. Our current fiscal year to date 2023 CAUTI Rate is 0.52. Our current fiscal year to date 2023 CLABSI Rate is 0.17. Not only has Daily Device Huddle reduced our infection rates; it has also decreased our utilization rates for both devices; indwelling foley catheters and central lines. Less utilization supplies less of an opportunity for a patient to develop an infection.

The promptness of removal when medically appropriate ensures that the devices are being removed, rather than left in longer than necessary. Another success of our efforts is the ability to replicate the process at other hospital entities within our health care system and see similar positive results.

 

 

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Topics: Quality Initiatives

Revision Date: 2/28/2023

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