Combined education and skin antisepsis intervention for persistently high blood-culture contamination rates in neonatal intensive care. Issue 1 (May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: O'Connor, C.; Philip, R.K.; Powell, J.; Slevin, B.; Quinn, C.; Power, L.; O'Connell, N.H.; Dunne, C.P.
• Is Part Of: Journal of hospital infection. Volume 93:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 105
• Page End: 107
• Publication Date: 2016-05
• Subjects: Bacteria -- Blood culture -- Chlorhexidine -- Contamination -- Intervention -- Neonatal; Cross infection -- Periodicals; Cross infection -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Nosocomial infections -- Periodicals; Nosocomial infections -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Cross Infection -- Periodicals; Cross Infection -- prevention & control -- Periodicals; Infection Control -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 614.44
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2016.01.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0195-6701

Abstract

Summary: Contaminated blood cultures represent challenges regarding diagnosis, duration of hospitalization, antimicrobial use, pharmacy and laboratory costs. Facing problematic neonatal blood culture contamination (3.8%), we instigated a successful intervention combining skin antisepsis using sterile applicators with 2% chlorhexidine gluconate in 70% isopropanol prior to phlebotomy (replacing 70% isopropanol) and staff education. In the six months prior to intervention, 364 neonatal peripheral blood samples were collected. Fourteen (3.8%) were contaminated. In the post-intervention six months, 314 samples were collected. Three (0.96%) were contaminated, representing significant improvement (Fisher's exact test: P = 0.0259). No dermatological sequelae were observed. The improvement has been sustained.