Lo Vecchio, A., Schaffzin, J.K., Ruberto, E., Caiazzo, M.A., Saggiomo, L., Mambretti, D., . . . Guarino, A. (2016). Reduced central line infection rates in children with leukemia following caregiver training: A quality improvement study. Medicine, 95, e3946.
A quality improvement project to educate caregivers on CL management and CLABSI prevention among children
The intervention consisted of nine in-person classes for education and practice on children and mannequins.
QI project for in-person caregiver training classes; no ICF needed.
CLABSI rate per 1,000 CL days in children with acute leukemia. The baseline was calculated based on previous 12 months of the QI project between March 2012 and April 2013 and was compared with cumulative CLABSI rates computed with 95% confidence intervals (CI).
A total of 118 children were diagnosed with acute leukemia and included in the study. 120 caregivers of 118 children agreed to participate. Baseline CLABSI rate was 6.86 per 1,000 CL days; within 8 months, 3.7 per 1,000 CL days; 46.1% reduction attributable to intervention alone.
Implementing an education intervention for the reduction of CLABSI occurrences using evidence-based practices resulted in dramatic improvement of CLABSI rates and, in turn, survival rates of leukemic children.
Subject withdrawals 10% or greater
Nursing is synonymous for teaching and educating the patient population. Nurses would be at the forefront of this intervention creating a comprehensive explanation of the disease process in a palatable form for caregivers as well as reinforcement and encouragement.