Applying the Science to the prevention of Catheter-Related Infections by O'Grady seeks to explain how Catheter-related bloodstream infection (CR-BSI) leads to nosocomial infections. Modern medicine incorporates the use of Central Venous Catheters, specifically used in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) to allow vascular access. However, the patients are often exposed to risks such as Catheter-related bloodstream infection (CR-BSI), metastatic infections, and local site infections. This is despite the fact that CR-BSI are preventable. This can be attributed to the lack of uniformity in the principles applied in the control of these infections and the devices used. There has been an assessed need for practitioners to diligently prevent the occurrence of nosocomial infections as it is a factor under consideration when it comes to the provision of quality healthcare. Pathogenesis is used to explain the cause and point of contamination. Contamination can occur at the insertion point with the migration of skin organisms an also at the catheter hub hematogenously from another infection focus point ( O'grady, 2002) .
Simple interventions can be employed to significantly minimize the risks of catheter-related infections. Such measures will entail the training and education of healthcare practitioners responsible for the insertion and maintenance of catheters, their adherence to precautions as required in catheter insertions, and the use of antiseptic catheters. According to O'grady (2002), the provision of continuing education and quality assurance is necessary as a result of overcrowding and understaffing issues within the ICU that cause a probable increase in human errors. The complications and costs of infections can also be minimized by ensuring the availability of medical teams that have specialized in the insertion and maintenance of intravascular catheters. Prevention of CR-BCIs is possible when patient safety and quality is emphasized via the embrace of individual responsibility in the process of care and the management of staff to ensure proper healthcare conditions.
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Reference
O'grady, N. P. (2002). Applying the science to the prevention of catheter-related infections. Journal of critical care , 17 (2), 114-121.
