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PubMed · 12671172

Implementation of evidence-based potentially better practices to decrease nosocomial infections.

Howard W Kilbride·David D Wirtschafter·Richard J Powers·Michael B Sheehan
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Six neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) that are members of the Vermont Oxford National Evidence-Based Quality Improvement Collaborative for Neonatology collaborated to reduce infection rates. There were 7 centers in the original focus group, but 1 center left the collaborative after 1 year. Nosocomial infection is a significant area for improvement in most NICUs. METHODS: Six NICUs participating in the Vermont Oxford Network made clinical changes to address 3 areas of consensus: handwashing, line management, and accuracy of diagnosis. The summary statements were widely communicated. Review of the literature, internal assessments, and benchmarking visits all contributed to ideas for change. RESULTS: The principle outcome was the incidence of coagulase-negative staphylococcus bacteremia. There was an observed reduction from 24.6% in 1997 to 16.4% in 2000. CONCLUSIONS: The collaborative process for clinical quality improvement can result in effective practice changes.

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BacteremiaBenchmarkingCatheters, IndwellingCooperative BehaviorCross InfectionEvidence-Based MedicineHand DisinfectionHealth Plan ImplementationHumansIncidenceInfant, NewbornInfant, PrematureIntensive Care Units, NeonatalIntensive Care, NeonatalOrganizational InnovationOutcome Assessment, Health CareStaphylococcal InfectionsTotal Quality ManagementUnited StatesJournal Article

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Howard W Kilbride, David D Wirtschafter, Richard J Powers, Michael B Sheehan. 2003. Implementation of evidence-based potentially better practices to decrease nosocomial infections.. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12671172/

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