Use of Medical breakthrough series technique to decrease port-A-related bloodstream infections

Abstract

Cancer patients frequently rely on implanted infusion catheter (Port-A) for injection of anti-cancer drugs, but Port-A-related bloodstream infections affect patient outcomes and increase mortality. Thus, to maintain a good quality of care and patient safety, we utilize interdepartmental teamwork cooperation and medical breakthrough series techniques (BTS) to formulate improvement strategies including: (1) introduce 2% Chlorhexidine gluconate for skin disinfection; (2) conduct training program and produce Port-A health education video files combined with action task vehicles; (3) introduce and execute maximal protection policy grade; (4) implement hand hygiene compliance and accuracy audit; (5) develop specialist quality control indicators: clinical outcome indicators according to Taiwan Clinical Practice Improvement (TCPI) indicators to define oncology ward “ Port-A-related bloodstream infections. ; (6) establish port-A teaching model aids. Through the implementation of the above strategies, the results were: (a) Port-Arelated bloodstream infections decreased from 2.01 & to 1.50 & ( decreased 0.51 &); oncology ward healthcare-associated bloodstream infections decreased from 1.65 & to 1.24 & ( decrease 0.41 &). (b) Accuracy rate of Port-A infusion procedure increased from 58.8% to 100% ( an increase of 41.2 %); (c) Oncology world average hospital stay decreased from 8.2 to 7.1 days ( shortened 1.1 days ) . By collaborating interdepartmental teamwork cooperation, establishment of standard Port-A infusion procedures, implementation of hand hygiene audit and skin disinfection technique can indeed reduce Port-A-related bloodstream infection.