Job Aid

Infection Prevention for Ultrasound Guided Peripheral/Intravenous(IV) Catheter Insertion

Problem

In a well-known hospital, the insertion of peripheral and intravenous (IV) catheters is routine, but we have observed a concerning rise in catheter-related infections (CRIs). These infections are primarily linked to breaches in sterile technique, including:

  1. Inadequate drying of antiseptic solutions: Antiseptics like chlorhexidine gluconate are not consistently allowed to dry fully before insertion, reducing their effectiveness.

  2. Compromised sterile barriers: Sterile fields are sometimes breached due to improper use of gloves, gowns, masks, or drapes, leading to contamination.

  3. Lack of standardized protocols: Absence of a uniform, step-by-step guide results in inconsistent infection prevention practices.

These issues have led to increased patient morbidity, prolonged hospital stays, and higher healthcare costs due to CRIs and complications. Addressing these lapses is critical to improving patient outcomes and reducing costs.

Audience: Newly hired nurses

Responsibilities: Instructional Designer, eLearning Development, Graphic and Visual Design, Prototyping

Tools Used: Canva

Solution

To address these challenges, we propose implementing a standardized infection prevention protocol for ultrasound-guided peripheral and central venous catheter insertion. This protocol will include a step-by-step job aid outlining best practices for maintaining sterility.

Key components:

  1. Proper Skin Antisepsis: Emphasize the use of chlorhexidine gluconate and ensure it dries completely (30 seconds to 1 minute) before insertion.

  2. Maximal Sterile Barriers: Provide clear instructions on using gloves, gowns, masks, and sterile drapes to minimize contamination.

  3. Hand Hygiene: Reinforce proper hand hygiene (handwashing or alcohol-based rubs for 20 seconds) before and during the procedure.

  4. Troubleshooting Guidance: Include steps for handling compromised sterile fields or contaminated catheters.

  5. Compliance Monitoring: Use the job aid as a reference for audits to track compliance and identify improvement areas.