SAVE That Line campaign

[PICC ACE]

Every year,thousands of patients receive vascular access devices that in many cases are their life-saving lines. Unfortunately,catheter-related blood stream infections are a constant risk for these patients. Many will develop CRBSI's,at a cost of millions of dollars and in some cases at the cost of the patient's life. Anyone who places or accesses central lines needs to understand that patients are depending on us to do everything we can to keep them free of infection,no matter how hurried and hectic our shift is.

The SAVE that line campaign,sponsored by the Association for Vascular Access,seeks to educate and remind all clinicians about the most important principles that must be observed when inserting,accessing or maintaining any vascular access device.

• Scrupulous Hand Hygiene-Before and after contact with vascular access device and prior to inserion

• Aseptic technique-During catheter insertion and care

• Vigorous friction to hubs-Vigorous friction with alcohol whenver you make or breal a connection or do any injection

• Ensure patency-Flush all lumens with adequate amount of saline or heparinized saline to maintain patency,per institution policy

This,essentially a 'back-to-basics' campaign,was initially inspired by patients who had long-term devices and were concerned about poor practices they observed when they were admitted to hospitals. I'm sure we can all attest to less than acceptable IV care practices and this campaign seeks to correct these. In the words of my favorite inf. control nurse,"wash yer damn hands and wear yer damn gloves!",scrub those injection caps like you really mean it and don't just give them a cursory swipe,and make sure the line is kept patent.

More info at www.avainfo.org