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Joint Comission requirement

Good Morning everyone,

At an institution that inserts > 2500 central lines of all types, we have been working toward a quantifiable solution to satisfy the following Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goal:

NPSG.07.04.01:

#2 "Prior to insertion of a central venous catheter, educate patients and as needed, their families about central line-associated bloodstream infection prevention."

Could you describe the process by which you meet this expectation ? 

You can e-mail me separately.

Many Thanks,

Dave B

[email protected]

lynncrni
 I would consider the NPSGs

 I would consider the NPSGs to be more than just an "expectation". They are a recognized document that is used to establish the standard of care. This will be especially critical to defend yourself in any lawsuit and lawsuits involving catheter-associated infections are increasing. To meet this standard, you could provide written materials, videotaped information delivered via a closed circuit TV system, customized printed materials from a computer system that can be tailored to each patient's needs, and/or teaching sessions with a nurse and hands-on demonstration and return demonstration methods for those going home with any type of VAD. I have seen hospitals use all of these methods. You will need some method in the medical record to document that this education was provided and some method to assess and validate the patient and family comprehension of the information and technical ability to do the tasks they may need to do in an alternative setting. For all VADs, including short peirpheral catheters that were only in for a short outpatient procedure or ER visit, you need to provide information about what the patient should be looking for at the site and the person and phone number to call if signs and symptoms develop. This has been a major factor in several lawsuits that I have reviewed. Sites that have no signs and symptoms at discharge can develop life-altering complications including infection such as cellulitis and suppurative thrombophlebitis after discharge. Lynn

Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, NPD-BC, CRNI

Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.

PO Box 10

Milner, GA 30257

Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com

Office Phone 770-358-7861

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