As 2018 comes to a close, we would like to thank you for being part of the Eloquest Healthcare Blog! We hope you have found our posts both informative and impactful to your professional career. As the new year kicked off, we welcomed our first guest blogger, Jo Ann Brooks PhD, RN, FAAN, FCCP, former…
Of the 200 million people worldwide who have been diagnosed with diabetes, millions receive their diabetes care through insulin pump therapy and use continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and insulin pumps.[1] This may result in improved diabetes care and greater control over users’ blood glucose levels. “My overall health is better. Insulin delivery is better, so…
Vascular Access Devices (VADs) are more prevalent than ever, with some reports estimating that at any point in time there may be 5 million patients living with a VAD.[1] These patients may either be in the hospital receiving care or at home receiving longterm care, and while VADs offer flexibility to patients, VADs still have…
Employee engagement plays a critical role in the success of any company, no matter what size or industry. As we enter the last quarter of the year, now is the perfect time to increase staff engagement by offering a way for them to give back to the community. Employee giving programs address many factors that…
The public health burden associated with catheter‐related bloodstream infection (CRBSI*) is substantial. A publication reviewing the qualitative and quantitative evidence supporting the use of Mastisol® Liquid Adhesive for the reduction of CRBSI can be downloaded here. In this blog, we’ll review the important findings detailed in this publication. CRBSI vs CLABSI These two…
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and The Infusion Nurses Society (INS) agree that vascular access device (VAD) dressing integrity is a critical factor for the prevention of hospital acquired infection. Michelle DeVries, BS, MPH, CIC, VA-BC, Senior Infection Control Officer at Methodist Hospitals, Indiana, reviews current practice guidelines, the emerging literature, and her…
This 3-part series has reviewed the financial impact of SSIs and emerging trends in SSI prevention. It is well accepted that hospital-acquired infection (HAI) after surgery or insertion of a device increases morbidity, mortality, and costs of care for patients and hospitals. Emerging trends in SSI prevention include antimicrobial dressings, with the purpose of protecting…
Welcome to the second blog in this 3-part series about SSIs. In the last blog, the substantial financial impact of SSIs was presented (see Blog #1 of the series). Knowing that the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) are no longer reimbursing hospitals for HAIs like SSI1, healthcare professionals are under tremendous pressure…
Welcome to a new 3-part series focusing on SSIs. SSIs are the most common type of hospital-acquired infection (HAI). They occur an estimated 160,000 to 300,000 times per year and account for more than 20% of all HAIs.1 And while the negative clinical outcomes associated with SSIs (ie, morbidity and mortality) are commonly known, there…
The previous blog of this 2‐part series focused on Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVADs), including the prevalence of use, the types of patients treated, and the associated risks of LVAD‐associated infections. (View Blog 1 of 2) Part 2 of the series will focus on minimizing driveline infections once the patient goes home. LVADs have revolutionized…