Rutkoff did the study during a 6-month period with 517 patients in a hospital, of whom 257 did not get the antimicrobial PICC inserted and 260 did. The article states “The 257 patients in the nonintervention group experienced a total of 8 CLABSI with an associated infection rate of 4.18/1000 days. The 260 patients in the intervention group experienced 1 CLABSI with an associated infection rate of 0.47/1000 days” (Rutkoff, 2014, p.177). The infection was seen less in people with the antimicrobial catheter than those who did not have one. During that time the nurses demonstrated 96% compliance with central line care in both groups. In addition to that, Rutkoff further explains the advantage of using this type of catheter by showing how it could save hospitals money. The increased cost associated with the use of the antimicrobial PICC was approximately $7.50 per catheter, representing an increase of approximately $2,000 for the 260 catheters inserted in the intervention group. The estimated saving by our hospital as a result of avoiding 7 CLABSIs was approximately $16,500 per infection or $115,000. (Rutkoff, 2014, …show more content…
This would replace the two-step method, which is the use of a Biopatch and a transparent dressing to secure it. This study, done in London, reports that “A key advantage of the product is the ability to see the insertion site as the dressing and gel is transparent” and that “The dressing process is a one-stage application compared to the two-stage process requiring for products such as Biopatch” (Jeanes and Bitmead, 2015, p.s17). The dressing is also mention on the CDC checklist for preventing CLABSIs as a consideration to use. However, Kaiser does not currently use this; they use the two-step method involving a Biopatch then transparent dressing during dressing change. They should look into this product to make it easier for nurses to learn how to do the dressing change and it can improve cost