Prevention of peripheral intravenous catheter-related bloodstream infections: the need for a new focus

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Rickard, Claire M
Webster, Joan
Playford, E Geoffrey
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2013
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Abstract

Intravascular access device-related bloodstream infections, including Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemias (SABs), cause substantial clinical harm and waste scarce health care resources. And yet, many, if not most, are preventable. We are belatedly realising that to eliminate these complications we must conduct research, implement evidence-based interventions and reduce the clinical practice variation that leads to their occurrence. Public reporting and the financial disincentives associated with apparent poor performance are also pulling us along this path. In this issue of the Journal, Stuart and colleagues provide yet another wake-up call by describing a case series of 137 peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC)-associated SABs.1 They highlight some important failings in our processes for managing PIVCs that allow devastating complications to occur and which require our urgent attention.

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The Medical Journal of Australia

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198

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10

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Rickard CM, Webster J and Playford EG. Prevention of peripheral intravenous catheter-related bloodstream infections: the need for a new focus. Med J Aust 2013; 198 (10): 519-520. © Copyright 2013 The Medical Journal of Australia – reproduced with permission.

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Biomedical and clinical sciences

Acute care

Psychology

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