Nephrologists Transforming Dialysis Safety

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» Compendium of Infection Control and Prevention Resources » • Dialysis Safety and Infection Control/Prevention

Tracking Infections in Outpatient Dialysis Facilities
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN)
Making Dialysis Safer for Patients: Tools to Prevent Infections in Hemodialysis (video)
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Making Dialysis Safer for Patients Uploaded on Mar 21, 2018 This webinar will present resources for preventing infections in the hemodialysis setting and will focus on increasing the use and visibility of CDC evidence-based practices. Bloodstream infections are a dangerous complication of dialysis. Nurses, medical providers, technicians and others who work in dialysis facilities face a difficult task of managing complex conditions affecting their patients while simultaneously focusing on reducing the risk of infection for these at-risk individuals. In this webinar, we will discuss the burden of bloodstream infections in hemodialysis, present the Core Interventions for Bloodstream Infection Prevention in the dialysis setting, discuss the value of auditing in dialysis facilities using CDC tools and resources, and discuss benefits of becoming a member of the Making Dialysis Safer for Patients Coalition.
Essential Components of an Infection Prevention Program for Outpatient Hemodialysis Centers
Source: Seminars in Dialysis First published: 28 June 2013 https://doi.org/10.1111/sdi.12102 Authors: Sally Hess, Virginia Bren Abstract: Infections are a significant complication for dialysis patients. The CDC estimates that 37,000 central line‐related bloodstream infections occurred in hemodialysis patients in 2008 and dialysis‐associated outbreaks of hepatitis C continue to be reported. While established hospital‐based infection prevention programs have existed since the 1970s, few dialysis facilities have an established in‐center program, unless the dialysis facility is hospital‐associated. This review focuses on essential core components required for an effective infection prevention program, extrapolating from acute‐care programs and building on current dialysis guidelines and recommendations. An effective infection prevention program requires infrastructure, including leaders who place infection prevention as a top priority, active involvement from a multidisciplinary team, surveillance of outcomes and processes with feedback, staff and patient education, and consistent use of evidence‐based practices. The program must be integrated into the existing Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement program. Best practice recommendations for the prevention of infection, specific to dialysis, continue to evolve as the epidemiology of dialysis‐associated infections is further researched and new evidence is gathered. A review of case studies illustrates that with an effective program in place, infection prevention becomes part of the culture, reduces infection risk, and improves patient safety.
Maintaining Safety in the Dialysis Facility
CJASN April 2015, 10 (4) 688-695; DOI: https://doi.org/10.2215/CJN.08960914 Author: Alan S. Kliger Abstract: Errors in dialysis care can cause harm and death. While dialysis machines are rarely a major cause of morbidity, human factors at the machine interface and suboptimal communication among caregivers are common sources of error. Major causes of potentially reversible adverse outcomes include medication errors, infections, hyperkalemia, access-related errors, and patient falls. Root cause analysis of adverse events and "near misses" can illuminate care processes and show system changes to improve safety. Human factors engineering and simulation exercises have strong potential to define common clinical team purpose, and improve processes of care. Patient observations and their participation in error reduction increase the effectiveness of patient safety efforts.
Infection control guidelines in hemodialysis facilities
Kidney Res Clin Pract. 2018 Mar; 37(1): 1–3. Published online 2018 Mar 31. doi: 10.23876/j.krcp.2018.37.1.1 Author: Ayman Karkar
100% Use of Infection Control Procedures in Hemodialysis Facilities: Call to Action
CJASN April 2018, 13 (4) 671-673; DOI: https://doi.org/10.2215/CJN.11341017 Authors: Anitha Vijayan and John M. Boyce
Guide to the Elimination of Infections in Hemodialysis
Source: Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC)
What You Should Know About Infectious Diseases: A Guide for Hemodialysis Patients and Their Families
Source: National Kidney Foundation (NKF) As a hemodialysis patient, you want to learn all you can about your treatment and what you can do to ensure your health is at its best. One important area you should know about involves infectious diseases. These are diseases that happen when harmful germs get into your body and make you ill. Kidney failure interferes with your body's natural defense system (immune system), making it easier for you to get some types of diseases through your dialysis treatments.
CDC Dialysis Safety
Patients who undergo dialysis treatment have an increased risk for getting an infection. Hemodialysis patients are at a high risk for infection because the process of hemodialysis requires frequent use of catheters or insertion of needles to access the bloodstream. Hemodialysis patients have weakened immune systems, which increase their risk for infection, and they require frequent hospitalizations and surgery where they might acquire an infection.

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