Research Synthesis Of Alcohol Caps - 3200 Words

Research Synthesis of Alcohol Caps to Reduce Central Line Infections Amy D. Kramer Point Loma Nazarene University Abstract Background: Central-line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) cause significant morbidity, mortality, and increased health care costs (Ramirez, Lee, Welch, 2012; Sacks et al., 2014; Wright et al., 2013; The Joint Commission, 2012). Aim: The purpose of this review was to synthesize the literature to determine whether the use of alcohol-impregnated port protectors to remove organisms reduces the incidence of CLABSIs more effectively than traditional 15 second â€Å"scrub the hub† practice. Method: A literature synthesis was conducted by searching the databases, CINAHL, Cochrane Database of†¦show more content†¦Introduction The use of central venous catheters (CVCs) are integral to modern healthcare and have become an increasingly common means of administering treatments that vary from intravenous fluids to blood products to life-saving medications (Sacks et al., 2014; Oto, Imanaka, Konno, Nakataki, Nishimura, 2011; The Joint Commission, 2012). The use of CVC s allows for immediate vascular access and improved patient comfort as a result of the decreased need for multiple needle sticks. However, their use is associated with an increased risk of blood stream infections. These infections called central-line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) cause significant morbidity, mortality, and increased health care costs (Ramirez, Lee, Welch, 2012; Sacks et al., 2014; Sandora et al., 2014 Wright et al., 2013; The Joint Commission, 2012). Central venous catheters are the most frequent cause of health care-associated bloodstream infections caused by the spread of skin flora around the catheter insertion site, or by microorganisms that colonize the implanted device contaminating the fluid pathway at the time of insertion or during its use (Maki, Kluger, Crnich, 2006; Menyhay, Maki, 2008; Oto, Imanaka, Konno, Nakataki, Nishimura, 2011; The Joint Commission, 2012; Wawrzyniak et al.,