Toolkit set to reduce IV infections

Developed by the Infection Control Nurses Association (ICNA), in collaboration with 3M Health Care, the PIVA Toolkit takes the form of a set of articles and templates intended to deliver a more direct patient management approach in the strive to reduce the estimated 5,800 cases of catheter related bloodstream infections in the UK every year.

Unveiled at the 36th Annual Infection Control Conference in September 2006, The PIVA Toolkit is expected to offer invaluable help in reducing healthcare associated infections (HCAI).

“It is an outstanding example of a resource which will directly reduce the incidence of infection and improve the quality of care received by patients and their health outcomes,” states Professor Dame Jill Macleod, the ICNA president. According to M3 Health Care, “The ‘Winning Ways’ report (DoH 2003) clearly identifies the need to reduce infection associated with invasive devices and the ‘Saving lives’ Report (DoH 2005) identified central venous catheter care as one of the top five high impact interventions to reduce healthcare associated infections.

The company’s literature goes on to state: “A plethora of guidelines exist but these are not always accessible or userfriendly. This practical toolkit addresses these limitations by providing a set of evidence based resources.”

The toolkit includes templates that can be incorporated into care plans or pathways, tips and guidelines for practitioners, patient information, and a cross-referenced guide to national policies and training materials.

It is intended that these resources will equip teams working with vascular access devices with the resources they need to implement a direct patient management approach involving care bundles and small step change methodology. The toolkit comprises the following:

Policy template
An adaptable template that includes all the relevant evidence based materials. In addition there are a number of auditing tools that can be used for both strategic management of intravascular device related infections and also local implementation at practice level evaluation.

Training programme
An adaptable PowerPoint presentation that includes a set of speaker notes to assist trainers who may be unfamiliar with the subject.

Information leaflets
Leaflets for both staff and patients, including children, to which contact details can be added.

It is hoped the toolkit will give staff a better understanding about their individual responsibilities, the parameters of best practice, and how to measure the outcome of intravascular care, all with the aim of reducing HCAI.

For more information, or to download the toolkit, visit www.3mhealthcare.co.uk