Date of Graduation

Winter 12-15-2019

Document Access

Project/Capstone - Global access

Degree Name

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

College/School

School of Nursing and Health Professions

First Advisor

Robin Jackson

Abstract

Costs of healthcare are astronomical, not only in the financial sense, but in many aspects of life for both patients and healthcare providers. Costs include those accompanying healthcare associated infections (HAI), where as a result of environmental factors, a patient acquires an infection during their admission. Since 2008, Medicare and Medicaid no longer reimburse hospitals for infections deemed ‘reasonably preventable.’ The biggest offender of this type of HAI is overwhelmingly, catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) (Kennedy, Greene & Saint, 2013). With approximately 31% of the inpatient population requiring an indwelling catheter at some point throughout their stay, risk of infection increases daily (Adams, Bucior, Day & Rimmer, 2012). Outcomes of this infection can be linked to bloodstream infections (BSI), and increased morbidity and mortality (Kennedy, Greene & Saint, 2013). This quality improvement project aims to implement a nurse-driven protocol for indwelling catheter removal, based on evidence that the duration of the time a catheter is in place is directly proportional to the risk for infection. By revising current protocol, an intensive care unit (ICU) at an acute care hospital will pilot this nurse-driven protocol, prompt frequent reassessment of the indication for removal, and if no longer in need, remove the catheter. The National Healthcare Safety Network lists reduction of CAUTI by 25% as one of their goals by 2020 (CDC, 2017).

Download

Included in

Other Nursing Commons

Share

COinS