Impact of a dedicated intravenous therapy team on nosocomial bloodstream infection rates

• Published in: American journal of infection control Vol. 26; no. 4; pp. 388 - 392
• Main Authors: Meier, Patricia A., Fredrickson, Mary, Catney, Michael, Nettleman, Mary D.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: St. Louis, MO Mosby, Inc 01-08-1998; Mosby
• Subjects: Bacteremia - economics; Bacteremia - epidemiology; Bacteremia - microbiology; Bacteremia - prevention & control; Bacterial diseases; Bacterial sepsis; Biological and medical sciences; Blood-Borne Pathogens; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Cross Infection - economics; Cross Infection - epidemiology; Cross Infection - microbiology; Cross Infection - prevention & control; Data Collection; Hospital Bed Capacity, 100 to 299; Hospitals, Veterans - statistics & numerical data; Human bacterial diseases; Humans; Incidence; Infection Control - economics; Infection Control - methods; Infectious diseases; Infusions, Intravenous - adverse effects; Infusions, Intravenous - nursing; Iowa; Medical sciences; Patient Care Team - economics; Patient Care Team - organization & administration; Prospective Studies; Iowa; Human; Nosocomial infection; Intravenous administration; Health staff; Catheter; Bacteremia; Intensive care unit; Infection; Prevention; Efficiency; Bacteriosis; Complication; Procedure; Hospital; Sanitary surveillance; Hygiene; Public health
• ISSN: 0196-6553; 1527-3296
• DOI: 10.1016/S0196-6553(98)70033-1

Background: Meticulous care of intravenous catheters could be expected to minimize associated nosocomial bloodstream infections, but care is often suboptimal.
Methods: To examine the ostensible benefits of a professional, dedicated intravenous therapy team, we compared the secular trends in nosocomial bloodstream infections before and after such a team was established.
Results: After the introduction of the team at the Veterans Administration Medical Center, the rate of primary nosocomial bloodstream infection decreased by 35% (1.1 to 0.7 infections/1000 patient-days,
P < .01), including a 51% decrease in bloodstream infections caused by
Staphylococcus aureus (
P < .01). The excess cost of the team was $252,000 per year. The excess costs per life saved and infection prevented were projected to be $53,000 and $14,000, respectively.
Conclusions: The introduction of a dedicated intravenous therapy team was associated with a significant reduction in nosocomial bloodstream infections. Further work is needed to maximize the cost-benefit ratio of this intervention. (AJIC Am J Infect Control 1998;26:388-92)