RESUMEN

Objectives: The majority of studies examining deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) prevention focus on ameliorating 1 variable at a time. There is a paucity of data regarding the synergistic effects of combining clinical and environmental interventions. This article describes an interdisciplinary, multimodal approach to eliminate DSWIs at a large community hospital. Methods: We developed a robust, multidisciplinary infection prevention team to evaluate and act in all phases of perioperative care to achieve a cardiac surgery DSWI rate of 0, named: the I hate infections team. The team identified opportunities for improved care and best practices and implemented changes on an ongoing basis. Results: Patient-related interventions consisted of preoperative methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus identification, individualized perioperative antibiotics, antimicrobial dosing strategies, and maintenance of normothermia. Operative-related interventions involved glycemic control, sternal adhesives, medications and hemostasis, rigid sternal fixation for high-risk patients, chlorhexidine gluconate dressings over invasive lines, and use of disposable health care equipment. Environment-related interventions included optimizing operating room ventilation and terminal cleaning, reducing airborne particle counts, and decreasing foot traffic. Together, these interventions reduced the DSWI incidence from 1.6% preintervention to 0% for 12 consecutive months after full bundle implementation. Conclusions: A multidisciplinary team focused on eliminating DSWI identified known risk factors and implemented evidence-based interventions in each phase of care to ameliorate risk. Although the influence of each individual intervention on DSWI remains unknown, use of the bundled infection prevention approach reduced the incidence to 0 for the first 12 months after implementation.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

The psychological impact of critical illness is far reaching, affecting patients and their loved ones. Family members face a multitude of stressors, ranging from concerns about death or permanent disability to stress over health care costs and lost wages. Patients are at risk for developing post-intensive care syndrome. Professional groups and patient safety organizations have crafted family-centered care (FCC) models that support hospitalized patients and their families. There is a paucity of data on use of FCC in cardiothoracic intensive care units. This article discusses FCC models and why they are beneficial to the needs of families of postoperative cardiothoracic surgery patients.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Opioid analgesics are the historical mainstay for postoperative cardiothoracic surgery pain relief. Although opioids are efficacious, they are linked with adverse effects, including sedation and respiratory depression. Emerging research is helping clinicians move toward evidence-based, opioid-sparing management strategies, including peripheral nerve blocks and multimodal analgesia. Good communication is essential to understanding patients' perceptions of pain and attitudes toward different pain-relief methods. Preoperatively educating patients and families on expected nociception and treatment options decreases postprocedural pain. Discussing use of nonopioid analgesics for mild pain and instructions on tapering opioid medications at discharge may prevent future misuse.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVE: Sternal wound infections complicate 1% to 8% of cardiac surgeries and carry significant morbidity. We investigated the utility of silver-impregnated dressing in decreasing sternal wound infections after sternotomy cases. METHODS: A single-institution cohort study was performed as part of a quality improvement trial of a new sternal dressing. Five hundred fifty-seven sternotomy cases were performed in 2015 with application of a traditional gauze dressing. In 2016, 682 sternotomy cases were performed with the use of a commercially available silver-impregnated dressing. Prospectively identified metrics were analyzed for each patient population along with nursing assessments and structured questionnaires. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics of patients in traditional gauze and silver-impregnated dressing groups were similar. Morbidity and mortality were similar. Nine (1.6%) and 12 (1.8%) sternal wound infections were reported in traditional gauze and silver-impregnated dressing groups, respectively. There was no difference in the rate of sternal wound infections (P = 0.80). The number of organ space infections (3) and deep sternal wound infections (3) was the same; however, the number of superficial infections was greater in the silver-impregnated dressing cohort (3 vs. 6). Among patients in either group with sternal wound infection, there were no differences in the proportion of superficial infections (44% vs. 50%, P = 0.8) or the organism cultured (67% vs. 50% staphylococcus, P = 0.45). A total of 22% of patients reported "not satisfied" with silver-impregnated dressing. CONCLUSIONS: Silver dressings did not reduce sternal wound infection after sternotomy for cardiac surgery in a large-cohort study. We discontinued the routine use of silver dressings for adult cardiac surgery based on these results because traditional gauze likely represents an equally effective and less costly alternative.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections are one of the most common sources of infection, accounting for up to 40% of health care-associated infections each year in the United States. Extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae are frequent causes of urinary tract infections in health care settings. Prevalent use of carbapenems has led to the emergence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae infections, leaving clinicians with few treatment options. Reducing carbapenem use and investigating alternative options for low-severity extended-spectrum ß-lactamase infections is imperative to prevent more cases of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. Although carbapenems are the antibiotics of choice for treating extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae catheter-associated urinary tract infections, carbapenem-sparing regimens may be appropriate for treating hemodynamically stable patients with low inoculum levels. Moreover, frontline health care providers can initiate efforts to reduce the development of multidrug-resistant organisms by decresing inappropriate antibiotic use during the treatment of catheter-associated asymptomatic bacteruria, avoiding unnecessary catheterizations, and avoiding culturing urine in asymptomatic patients.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is a frequent cause of hospital-associated infections, including central catheter-associated bacteremia. Vancomycin has been the drug of choice for treating this type of bacteremia for decades in patients who have no contraindications to the antibiotic. However, resistance to vancomycin is an emerging problem. Newer antibiotics approved by the Food and Drug Administration have activity against methicillin-resistant S aureus Some of the antibiotics also have activity against strains of S aureus that are intermediately susceptible or resistant to vancomycin. This article uses a case study to highlight the clinical signs of vancomycin failure and describes the indications for and appropriate use of alternative antimicrobials such as ceftaroline, daptomycin, linezolid, tigecycline, and telavancin. (Critical Care Nurse 2016;36[4]:46-57).

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)