Mrs. Leasa Giles1
1Tasmanian Health Service, Launceston, Australia
Biography:
Leasa is a Registered Nurse who has completed a graduate certificate in Infection Prevention and Control at Griffith University, certificate IV in training and assessment and certificate IV in sterilising services.
Experiencing both public and private sectors, Leasa currently works as an IPC Clinical Nurse Educator, for Tasmanian Health Service.
Abstract:
Hospitals North Tasmania noted increased Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections (SABSI) rate from June 2022 through 2023, peaking at 2.40 per 10 000 OBDs December 2023. The Vascular Access Committee (VAC) identified priority areas of concern with SABSI rates.
VAC escalated the risk to hospital management and implemented actions to improve the SABSI rates.
• Engaged a Clinical Nurse Educator to undertake a review of practice against the Clinical Care Standard.
• Identified issues with Peripheral IV Cannula (PICV) insertion and management through auditing.
Procedure improvements included:
• Removal of PIVC and incident reporting of all PIVC with a VIP (visual infusion phlebitis) score ≥ 1, this included upgrading VIP score reporting across category 0 -5, to identify contributing factors.
• All VIP submissions are reviewed and targeted education provided
• Focus on removing PIVC inserted by external facilities within 24hrs.
• Review and updated PIVC PROTOCOL
• Improved PIVC monitoring form
• Implemented PIV Cannulation program
Previous incident reporting for VIP score averaged 18 per month, implementation of new reporting definitions increased reporting and cannula removal on average to 54 per month in 2024.
Outcomes:
From January to December 2024, 648 elevated VIP scores were reported.
• January to December 2024 the SABSI rate is now 0.59 per 10 000 OBDs.
• 87.2% were for VIP scores 1 and 2.
• 12% were for VIP scores 3 to 5.
Through targeted interventions, and continuous staff education, we have successfully reduced bloodstream infection rates, significantly improving patient safety and outcomes. These learnings will continue to guide our quality improvements efforts moving forward.