Bloodstream infections can be life-threatening in patients whose health is already compromised by severe PAH. Help your patients reduce their risk of a bloodstream infection by using aseptic or "clean" technique when handling their medication and their catheter.
To assist you, we have put together a useful Beat the BSI Aseptic Mixing Kit for your patients—giving them the tools and instructions they need to practice proper clean technique.
Five simple steps to help Beat the BSI
Keeping a clean work surface—Encourage your patients to mix their medication on a clean work surface. Wiping this surface with alcohol before mixing can help reduce the risk of bacteria coming into contact with their medication and mixing supplies.
Washing hands carefully—Making certain that all mixing supplies are as clean as possible is an essential part of aseptic technique. Be sure your patients wash their hands thoroughly before they handle their medication and mixing supplies. The Beat the BSI Bacteria Training Kit can be a useful tool to reinforce the proper hand-washing technique.
Wearing gloves and a mask—Inform your patients that they are adding another layer of protection from bacteria by wearing gloves and a mask.
Keeping sterile items sterile—Mixing supplies need to stay as clean as possible. In the Aseptic Mixing Kit we've included a special tray designed to keep the mixing supplies clean. Your patients should wipe this tray, or any other surface used to hold mixing supplies, with alcohol before each use. In addition, rubber bottle stoppers should be individually cleaned with a fresh alcohol prep pad. Remind your patients to keep their clean mixing supplies away from non-sterile items.
Avoiding contact with the catheter hub or port—Because most bloodstream infections in patients with tunneled CVCs result from hub contamination and subsequent intraluminal migration of bacteria, remind patients not to touch the catheter hub or port.
