Blood stream infections present a serious challenge in the field of medical care. Medical professionals must be aware of modern appropriate evidence-based solutions towards ensuring patient health. The center for disease control, or CDC, provides relevant recommendations for CLABSI prevention and care. Evidence compiled by the center, collected from multiple medical research articles, concludes that C-I Gel Dressings or Sponge Dressings, in addition to other types of dressings are effective at decreasing rates of infections (CDC, 2019). The use of dressing in patient care, is, therefore, especially important to ensure safety. In addition, other practices are necessary in order to decrease the potential rates of CLABSI in patient. In particular, catheter monitoring stands as the primary method of infection prevention, allowing care professionals to quickly access the state of the wound. According to current medical practice, constant check-ups on the state of the PICC line, coupled with regular maintenance, must be performed to avoid CLABSI (Mayo Clinic, 2019). Many of the instructions applicable to medical professionals must also be given to the patients. Patient education, and the capacity of self-care promote human flourishing and autonomy, both playing an irreplaceable role in recovery. Medical professionals have a professional and moral responsibility to promote patient knowledge, helping their clients to address certain medical needs from home. According to research on the subject, print materials are an effective strategy towards giving information to patients, including such methods as booklets, handouts, and packets (MacEwan et al., 2021). Electronically-distributed resources can also play a similar role. In terms of direct education, information delivered during the point of care, rounding, admission, or other patient-clinician interaction times proved effective (MacEwan et al., 2021). Topics for education include potential consequences of indwelling, proper hygiene, catheter maintenance, and medical support access channels.
References
CDC. (2019). Appendix | C-I dressings | Guidelines library | Infection control | CDC. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web.
MacEwan, S. R., Beal, E. W., Gaughan, A. A., Sieck, C., & McAlearney, A. S. (2021). Perspectives of hospital leaders and staff on patient education for the prevention of healthcare-associated infections. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, 1-6.
Mayo Clinic. (2019). Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line. Web.