Why take a risk with blood stream infections

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3M™Tegaderm™ CHG (chlorhexidine gluconate) IV Securement Dressings Clinically Proven to Reduce Catheter-related Bloodstream Infections (CRBSIs)

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HAIs are the most common complication affecting patients in hospitals. Each year, around 200,000 HAIs are contracted by patients in Australia. At least half of HAIs are preventable. Successful infection control to minimise the risk of transmission requires a range of strategies across all levels of the healthcare system and a collaborative approach for successful implementation¹.
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care have developed ten National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards. Standard 3 - Preventing and Controlling Healthcare Associated Infections aims to prevent patients acquiring preventable HAIs and to effectively manage infections when they occur using evidence based strategies.
In brief, this Standard requires that:

• Effective governance and management systems for HAIs are implemented and maintained.


• Strategies for the prevention and control of HAIs are developed and implemented¹.

Tegaderm™ CHG Chlorhexidine Gluconate IV Securement dressings combine the most critical elements to protect IV site care into a single product to help you meet your goals for patient safety, clinician confidence and cost of care.
Tegaderm™ CHG dressings are the only transparent IV site dressings integrated with a 2% w/w chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) gel pad, proven and indicated to reduce CRBSIs and catheter colonization².
The microorganisms that colonise catheter hubs and the skin adjacent to the insertion site, such as coagulase-negative staphylocci and Staphyloccus aureus are the source of many catheter-related bloodstream infections. The integrated CHG gel pad in the Tegaderm™ CHG dressing provides immediate and continuous protection offering a consistent level of antimicrobial activity for over 7 days³.
Using Tegaderm™ IV Film Dressings also supports Standard 3 - standard and surgical approach to aseptic technique practices (Aseptic Non Touch Technique) by simplifying dressing application and change practices with central venous and/or arterial catheters. The frame delivery system provides handles for application to the IV site reducing the risk of touch contamination of the skin side of the dressing as well as easy and accurate positioning of the dressing. The transparent window reduces the risks of touch contamination by providing a closed system that permits regular and visual inspection and monitoring of the IV site.
While recent industry, government and clinical initiatives have led to a significant reduction in the risks, costs and incidence of CRBSIs, even one CRBSI is one too many. Even if your infection rates are low, you can help to reduce CRBSIs by making Tegaderm™ CHG dressings a key component of your care bundles and infection prevention practices.
Tegaderm™ CHG dressings support the goals of professional standards, guidelines and facility protocols for improving patient outcomes.
Reducing the risks of infection in vascular access is vital to the safety of patients in Australia.
Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) are one of the most serious and costly healthcare associated infections (HAI), leading to increased costs through extended hospital stays, illness and death.
References
1. National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards - Preventing and Controlling Healthcare Associated Infections. Standard 3. Fact Sheet www.safetyandquality.gov.au
2. Timsit JF, et al. Randomized Controlled Trial of Chlorhexidine Dressing and Highly Adhesive Dressing for Preventing Catheter- Related Infections in Critically Ill Adults. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 2012; Vol. 186 No. 12.
3. Karpanen T.J et al Antimicrobial activity of the Chlorhexidine intravascular site gel dressing. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 2011;66:1777-1784
For more information visit www.3M.com.au/healthcare