Improving Vascular Access Dressing Integrity with Gum Mastic Adhesive

Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) occurrence is arguably 100% preventable, yet central venous access device (CVAD) related infections have a 12-25% mortality rate in the ICU setting1. One to 2 of every 8 patients who develop CLABSI don’t survive. In the webinar, 18 Months of Sticking to it: Dedicated team site care using gum mastic…

3 Questions With Maureen Spencer, RN, M.Ed., CIC

Expert Recommendations on Improving Surgical Care 3 Questions With… features some of the finest thought leaders in healthcare specialties such as Infection Prevention, Vascular Access, Surgical Care and more. These experts answer questions on the latest insights, evidence and current practices. For our newest 3 Questions With… Eloquest Healthcare is proud to feature Maureen Spencer, RN, M.Ed.,…

Stories from the Community Meet Swapna Kakani: Short Bowel Syndrome Warrior

Swapna Kakani was diagnosed at birth with a rare chronic disease, Short Bowel Syndrome. For 27 years, Swapna has lived with supplemental intravenous nutrition and a feeding tube (from 0-24 she had a gastrostomy tube and from 24 onwards she has had an ileostomy). She has undergone several surgeries at multiple hospitals throughout the United…

3 Questions with Gwen Borlaug MPH, CIC, FAPIC

Our newest edition of 3 Questions With… 3 Questions With… features some of the finest thought leaders in healthcare specialties such as Infection Prevention, Vascular Access, Surgical Care and more. These experts answer questions on the latest insights, evidence and current practices. For our newest 3 Questions With… Eloquest Healthcare is proud to feature Gwen…

The Neglected Catheter: Peripheral Vascular Access Device‐Related Infection: Clinical and Legal Perspectives

“Up to 90% of hospitalized patients can require a PVAD during their stay, however, greater than 60% of PVADs fail due to dislodgement, phlebitis, occlusion, infiltration, or infection.”¹ PVAD infections are so prevalent that the topic “Infections from Peripherally Inserted IV Lines” became number 9 in the ECRI Institute’s 2019 Top 10 Patient Safety Concerns.…

Does a Patient’s Socioeconomic Status Influence Their Risk for SSI?

The access to, use of, and quality of health care can vary based on socioeconomic status, which can be measured by income, education, and/or occupation.1,2 Socioeconomic factors can be associated with various health outcomes, one of them being surgical site infection (SSI) which affects up to 5% of surgical procedures nationwide.3 However, the association between…

Top 5 Takeaways on Infection Preventionist Collaboration with the Surgical Team

Surgical site infection (SSI) is a significant postoperative complication that increases morbidity, mortality, and length of stay for surgical patients[1]. On average, 300,000 to 500,000 people develop SSI annually in the United States[1], with 3% of SSIs being fatal and an overall national cost of $10 billion per year[2]. Reducing the risk of SSI begins…

Reducing CLABSI and MARSI Risk Through Improved Vascular Access Dressing Integrity

Vascular Access Dressing Adherence and Hospital-acquired Infections Central venous access device (CVAD) related infections have a 12‐25% mortality in ICU populations. [1] Due to dressing disruption, central line‐associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) may occur. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Infusion Nurses Society (INS) agree that vascular access device (VAD) dressing…