Standardised vascular access data collection: How do we measure infectious complications and what do the experts think?
Dr Jessica Schults1,2,3,4,5, Mrs Tricia Kleidon1,3,5,6, A/Professor Vineet Chopra7, Dr Rebecca Paterson3,4,5, Professor Amanda Ullman1,8, Dr Nicole Marsh1,3,9, Dr Gillian Ray-Barruel3,5,10, Professor Claire Rickard1,2,3,5,9
1University of Queensland, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work , Brisbane, Australia
2Herston Infectious Diseases Institute (HEiDI), Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Brisbane, Australia
3School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia, Nathan, Australia
4Child Health Research Centre, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
5Alliance of Vascular Access Teaching and Research Group, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, , Nathan, Australia
6Department of Anaesthesia and Pain Management, Queensland Children’s Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
7The Patient Safety Enhancement Program, Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Medicine, Ann Arbor, USA
8Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health District, Brisbane, Australia
9Nursing and Midwifery Research Centre; Workforce Development and Education Centre, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
10QEII Jubilee Hospital, Nathan, Australia
Introduction: Data regarding vascular access device use and outcomes are largely limited. This reflects the absence of guidance on what variables should be collected to assess patient outcomes. We sought to define international consensus on a vascular access minimum dataset including a subset of measures for infectious complications.
Methods: A modified Delphi study (two electronic surveys and a consensus panel) was conducted involving international vascular access specialists. In Rounds 1 and 2, electronic surveys were distributed and respondents were asked to rate the importance, feasibility and acceptability of items, definitions and response options. In Round 3, a purposive expert panel met to review Round 1 and 2 ratings and reach consensus (defined as ≥70% agreement) on the final items. A concurrent international consumer survey was distributed to determine patient preferences for vascular access device capture.
Results: A total of 64 interdisciplinary healthcare professionals from 11 countries responded to Round 1 and 2 surveys. From the original 52 items, 50 items across five domains emerged from the Delphi procedure. Final items included a large subset of complication and removal (e.g., blood stream infection) data. Patients (n = 58) reported a preference for the measurement of infectious complications due to the impact on length of hospital stay and requirement for new devices for antibiotic treatment.
Conclusions: We developed and internally validated a minimum dataset for vascular access devices including measures of infection. Use of this standardised approach can help healthcare systems benchmark clinical practice and target improvements worldwide.
Biography:
Jessica Schults is a senior research fellow with The University of Queensland and the Herston Infectious Disease Institute at Metro North Hospital and Health Service. She is interested in building our digital health capacity to monitor and predict hospital associated infections