ASN's Mission

To create a world without kidney diseases, the ASN Alliance for Kidney Health elevates care by educating and informing, driving breakthroughs and innovation, and advocating for policies that create transformative changes in kidney medicine throughout the world.

learn more

Contact ASN

1401 H St, NW, Ste 900, Washington, DC 20005

email@asn-online.org

202-640-4660

The Latest on X

Kidney Week

Abstract: FR-OR093

Targeting Zero Infection in Hemodialysis Patients: An Experience of an Intra-Hospital Hemodialysis Unit with None Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infection in 633 Days

Session Information

Category: Dialysis

  • 704 Dialysis: Vascular Access

Authors

  • Luders, Claudio, Hospital Sirio-Libanes, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
  • Lobo, Renata Desordi, Hospital Sirio-Libanes, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
  • Ventura, Carlucci Gualberto, Hospital Sirio-Libanes, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
  • Roque, Felicio, Hospital Sirio-Libanes, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
  • Di nizo, Fabio Eduardo reis, Hospital Sirio-Libanes, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
Background

Patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) through tunnelled central venous catheter are exposed to several risks, including infection and trombosis. Catheter-related bloodstream infection (CR-BSI) is the second major cause of death in this population. To reduce the incidence of CR-BSI we conducted an intervention study aimed in lowering these rates.

Methods

An quasi-experimental, pre-post intervention study was conducted in an intra-hospital hemodialysis unit with 15 HD machines and attending 70 patients. In 2011, we implemented an evidence-based intervention package aiming at elimination of all preventable CR-BSI, including the following measures: 1. Alcohol based gel delivery system fixed in every HD machine for hand hygiene 2.Catheter external cleaning with alcoholic chlorhexidine before manipulation for at least 1 minute 3.A scrub-the-hub protocol with strictly aseptic technic for catheter manipulation in any intervention 4.Use of chlorhexidine-impregnated dressing 5.Training all nurse staff admitted, annual re-training and evaluation of performance with infection rate feedback 6. The use of citrate 30% as lock solution.

Results

During the follow-up period (January 2011 to January 2018) a mean of 34 patients (range 30-38) used tunnelled catheter as vascular access each year. The median age was 72 years (range 20-90 years), and 35% of patients were diabetic. After implementation of the intervention package, we observed a continuous reduction in the CR-BSI rate: from 1.1/1000 catheter-days in 2010, the year before the intervention measures; to 0.6/1000, 0.6/1000, 0.1/1000, 0.1/1000, 0.2/1000, 0.2/1000 and 0.0/1000 catheter-days from 2011 to 2017, respectively. Between April 2016 and January 2018, we reached the longest period without CR-BSI events: 633 days, interrupted by a Serratia marcenses CR-BSI with tunnel infection in a recipient of pancreas transplant.

Conclusion

Implementation of several evidence-based practices and continuous education can reduce CR-BSI in HD patients to a very low and sustained level. Targeting zero infection proposing eliminate all preventable infection should be routine practice of all dialysis units.