Infection is a leading cause of hospitalization and death in hemodialysis patients. Bloodstream infections are a particularly severe form of infection that can occur in these patients.It estimate that about 37,000 bloodstream infections occur among dialysis patients with central lines each year, costing approximately $23,000 per hospitalization. This is a substantial burden and cost to our health system.
Dialysis Infection Prevention Strategies
- Performed monthly hand hygiene observations
- Performed regular observations of vascular access care and catheter accessing
- Trained staff on infection control topics, including access care and use of aseptic technique
- Provided standardized education to their patients on infection prevention strategies
- Worked to identify and address barriers to permanent vascular access placement and catheter removal
- Used chlorhexidine for catheter exit-site skin antisepsis during dressing changes
- Scrubbed catheter hubs with an appropriate antiseptic before accessing the lines
- Applied an antibiotic ointment or povidone-iodine ointment to catheter exit sites during dressing changes.
