Catheter Related Bloodstream Infections - course logo

Preventing Catheter Related Bloodstream Infections

 

Welcome to the "Preventing Catheter-related Bloodstream Infections" online training course.

 

Edinburgh Critical Care unit logo

This course has been developed by NHS Education for Scotland (NES) and clinical colleagues in NHS Lothian, in response to the Scottish Government's HAI taskforce initiative aimed at reducing Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI) and their impact in Scotland

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Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) are a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in critically ill patients. Attributable mortality may be as high as 25%, with an increased length of stay of survivors of about 3 weeks. The cost may be as much as £20,000 per episode.

 

These infections are difficult to treat. Prevention of CRBSIs is therefore an essential feature of patient safety and quality improvement programmes. Many randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have been carried out to identify practices that reduce CRBSIs. These evidence-based, best practices can be grouped together as a care bundle.

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Gloved hands disinfecting a catheter connector with an alcohol wipe

This course is aimed at staff working in critical care wards, although it is relevant to staff in other areas. 

 

The target group includes doctors in foundation years and in specialist training and nurses working in intensive care and high dependency settings.

 

 

 

 

 

Content

The package is designed to be self-directed and web based and is presented in five main topics:

  • Pathophysiology
  • The CVC care bundle
  • Clinical practice
  • Implementing a CVC care bundle
  • Some practical examples

On Completion of the course you will:

 
  • have an increased knowledge of the biology of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs), in particular central line related infections;
  • understand why specific interventions prevent CRBSI;
  • understand how these interventions may be brought together as a "care bundle" for central venous catheters (CVCs);
  • describe how care bundles can reduce the incidence of CRBSIs in critically ill patients;
  • appraise the practice in your workplace relating to the prevention of CRBSIs.

 

Registration

You can register for this course through the HAI Registration Portal.

Once registered you can access this course at http://www.hai-short-courses.nes.scot.nhs.uk

 

Course Information

The course should take around 1 hour of online training time.

The pass mark for the course is 60%.

 

 

 

 

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