Enhancing the Sustainability of EBP Initiatives – Peer Comment
One example of an evidence-based practice (EBP) initiative that has been implemented in a healthcare setting is the use of checklists to reduce the rate of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) in hospital intensive care units (ICUs).
CLABSIs are a serious and potentially fatal complication that can occur when central lines (intravenous catheters that are inserted into a large vein) are used to administer medications or fluids to critically ill patients. Research has shown that the use of a simple, evidence-based checklist can help healthcare providers reduce the rate of CLABSIs by ensuring that proper insertion and maintenance procedures are followed (Wichmann, et al., 2018).
To implement this EBP initiative, healthcare organizations have developed and implemented checklists that standardize the process of inserting and maintaining central lines in ICU patients. These checklists typically include steps such as hand hygiene, use of sterile barriers, proper positioning of the patient, and daily assessment and documentation of line necessity (Wichmann, et al., 2018).
The use of these checklists has been shown to significantly reduce the rate of CLABSIs in ICU patients. For example, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that the use of a CLABSI prevention checklist was associated with a 66% reduction in CLABSIs in a group of Michigan hospitals.
Overall, the implementation of evidence-based checklists for the prevention of CLABSIs is an example of how healthcare providers can use EBP to improve patient outcomes and reduce the incidence of healthcare-associated infections.
Answer Preview
APA Format, 266 words