Reducing Central Line Utilization Via Audit, Feedback, and Knowledge Translation

Central venous catheters (CVC), while commonly used to address intravenous infusion needs in hospitalized patients, are known to place patients at increased risk for central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI). Research has shown that before inserting or accessing a CVC, utilizing an assessment may prevent CLABSI; however, there was a gap in the project site process. The purpose of this quantitative, quasi- experimental quality improvement project was to determine if the implementation of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's (AHRQ) Central Line Maintenance Audit Tool would reduce the number of central lines accessed or inserted among oncology patients. The project took place in an acute care hospital in the Southeastern United States over 30 days. Bandura's social cognitive learning theory and Hysong's audit and feedback model were used as the project's scientific underpinning. The total sample size was N = 686, n = 355 in the baseline group and n = 331 in the post-implementation group. Data was obtained from the facility’s electronic health record (EHR). To analyze the data on the number of central lines accessed or inserted, a Chi-squared test was used X2 (1, N = 686) = 1.649, p =.199. Results indicated no statistical significance; however, clinical significance was reached by reducing 30 fewer CVCs used. Therefore, it is recommended that the project be sustained at the project site and extended to other hospital units where CVCs are common