Carilion Clinic Research Articles

Healthcare-associated infections: Working toward eradication of a global problem*

Carilion Clinic Children's Hospital, Roanoke, VA (Lambert) Carilion Medical Center, Carilion Clinic Children's Hospital, Virginia Tech-Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA (Slonim) Dr. Slonim has received grant support from AHRQ Research Contracts on Infections. Dr. Lambert has not disclosed any potential conflicts of interest.

Meningococcal sepsis in children: Persistent problem; new insights?*

Carilion Clinic Children's Hospital; Roanoke, Virginia The author has not disclosed any potential conflicts of interest.

Evaluating costs in critical care: There’s more to it than the math*

Children’s National Medical Center; Washington, DC; Department of Pediatrics; The George Washington University School of Medicine; Washington, DC (Coleman) Carilion Medical Center and Children’s Hospital; Roanoke, VA; Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, Carilion Clinic; Roanoke, VA (Slonim) Dr. Slonim has received grant support from AHRQ and ASHRM Foundation. Dr. Coleman has not disclosed any potential conflicts of interest.

Improving Safety for Nurses Providing IV Therapy

ObjectivesThe risk nurses face related to exposure to blood borne pathogens associated with IV therapy are daily challenges. Providing a product with the least risk of exposure is the responsibility of the healthcare organization. Where the two meet creates an environment that fosters a safe work environment and raises the awareness that safety is everyone's job. ProjectFollowing identification of exposure rates from IV catheter stylets the Carilion Clinic undertook a project to improve the practices and provide a higher level of safety for its staff. ResultsFollowing staff evaluation and selection of a new IV catheter, the exposure rate related to contaminated IV catheter stylets dropped from 13 in 2005 to 2 in 2007. Numerous other practices and products related to IV therapy were reviewed and improved upon following the catheter conversion as well. Conclusion and Implications for PracticeA higher level of safety can be achieved when nurses are involved in the selection of a product, staff education, and support from leadership.

Networking Opens Doors for Palliative Care, Say Doctors in Rural Practices

Networking Opens Doors for Palliative Care, Say Doctors in Rural Practices