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Recommended Citation
Ashley E. Putting the kibosh on bugs: Nurses lead reduction in blood culture contamination rates. Value Informed Nursing Practice podium presentation at Empowering Nursing Excellence: Recognizing the Value and Impact of Nurses, Advocate Health Midwest Region Nursing Research & Professional Development Conference 2023; November 15, 2023; virtual.
Presentation Notes
Value Informed Nursing Practice podium presentation at Empowering Nursing Excellence: Recognizing the Value and Impact of Nurses, Advocate Health Midwest Region Nursing Research & Professional Development Conference 2023; November 15, 2023; virtual.
Abstract
Background
Blood culture contamination results in unnecessary waste of supplies and resources, increased medical costs related to inappropriate of antibiotics, and threatens successful antibiotic stewardship. A spike in blood culture contamination rates in emergency department settings has been examined in relation to elevated patient acuity levels. Other studies have examined the financial impact of contaminated blood cultures and found that, on average, there is a $4538 cost savings associated with prevention of blood culture contamination. Blood culture contamination rates within a local emergency department increased to 5% which was above the national benchmark of 2.3%. Evaluation of pre-intervention data revealed that nurses were responsible for 67% of these contaminations.
Method
A nurse-led interdisciplinary group collaborated to review data and perform chart audits to identify trends, barriers, and causes for contaminations. Potential causes for high contamination rates included improper collection technique, collection blood samples from established intravenous lines (versus direct venipuncture), collection from externally placed intravenous lines, improper skin preparation, and improper drying time. A nurse reviewed current literature to identify best practice techniques and shared these with emergency department staff. Routine monitoring and direct follow-up with staff ensured best practice interventions became hardwired in nursing practice.
Results
Post-intervention results demonstrated a reduction in emergency department blood culture contamination rates at 1.16%, for three consecutive months. Of these, zero (0%) contaminations were because of nurse collection. Contamination rates continued to be monitored.
Cost Savings
Within a three-month period, nurses saved an average of $45,380 in total medical costs.
Conclusions
Nurse utilization of evidence-based practice interventions and collaboration with interdisciplinary team members improved culture collection technique. As a result, blood culture contamination and overall cost of care were reduced. Nurses effort to improve quality of care delivery resulted in cost-savings for the healthcare organization and patients as well as improving patient outcomes and safeguarding antibiotic stewardship.
Document Type
Oral/Podium Presentation
Publication Date
11-15-2023
Putting the kibosh on bugs: Nurses lead reduction in blood culture contamination rates
Background
Blood culture contamination results in unnecessary waste of supplies and resources, increased medical costs related to inappropriate of antibiotics, and threatens successful antibiotic stewardship. A spike in blood culture contamination rates in emergency department settings has been examined in relation to elevated patient acuity levels. Other studies have examined the financial impact of contaminated blood cultures and found that, on average, there is a $4538 cost savings associated with prevention of blood culture contamination. Blood culture contamination rates within a local emergency department increased to 5% which was above the national benchmark of 2.3%. Evaluation of pre-intervention data revealed that nurses were responsible for 67% of these contaminations.
Method
A nurse-led interdisciplinary group collaborated to review data and perform chart audits to identify trends, barriers, and causes for contaminations. Potential causes for high contamination rates included improper collection technique, collection blood samples from established intravenous lines (versus direct venipuncture), collection from externally placed intravenous lines, improper skin preparation, and improper drying time. A nurse reviewed current literature to identify best practice techniques and shared these with emergency department staff. Routine monitoring and direct follow-up with staff ensured best practice interventions became hardwired in nursing practice.
Results
Post-intervention results demonstrated a reduction in emergency department blood culture contamination rates at 1.16%, for three consecutive months. Of these, zero (0%) contaminations were because of nurse collection. Contamination rates continued to be monitored.
Cost Savings
Within a three-month period, nurses saved an average of $45,380 in total medical costs.
Conclusions
Nurse utilization of evidence-based practice interventions and collaboration with interdisciplinary team members improved culture collection technique. As a result, blood culture contamination and overall cost of care were reduced. Nurses effort to improve quality of care delivery resulted in cost-savings for the healthcare organization and patients as well as improving patient outcomes and safeguarding antibiotic stewardship.