Impact of an educational intervention implanted in a neurological intensive care unit on rates of infection related to external ventricular drains

PLoS One. 2013;8(2):e50708. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0050708. Epub 2013 Feb 4.

Abstract

Background: Studies on the implantation of care routines showed reduction on EVD catheter-related infections rates; however zero tolerance is difficult to be achieved. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of an educational intervention on the maximal reduction on rates of EVD-related infections.

Methodology/principal findings: The quasi-experimental (before-after intervention) study occurred in two phases: pre-intervention, from April 2007 to July 2008, and intervention, from August 2008 to July 2010. Patients were followed for 30 days after the removal of the EVD, and EVD-related infections were considered as only those with laboratorial confirmation in the CSF. Observations were made of the care of the EVD and compliance with Hygiene of the Hands (HH), a routine of care was drawn up, training was given, and intervention was made to reduce the time the EVD catheter remained in place.

Results: during the study, 178 patients were submitted to 194 procedures, corresponding to 1217 EVD catheters-day. Gram-negative agents were identified in 71.4% of the infections during the pre-intervention period and in 60% during the intervention period. During the study, EVD-related infection rates were reduced from 9.5% to 4.8% per patient, from 8.8% to 4.4% per procedure, and the incidence density dropped from 14.0 to 6.9 infections per 1000 catheters-day (p = 0.027). The mortality reduced 12% (from 42% to 30%).

Conclusions/significance: During one year after the fourth intervention, no microbiologically identified infection was documented. In light of these results, educational intervention proved to be a useful tool in reducing these rates and showed also impact on mortality.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Catheter-Related Infections / microbiology
  • Catheter-Related Infections / prevention & control*
  • Catheter-Related Infections / surgery
  • Catheters, Indwelling / microbiology*
  • Cerebral Ventricles / microbiology
  • Cerebral Ventricles / surgery*
  • Cerebral Ventriculitis / microbiology
  • Cerebral Ventriculitis / prevention & control*
  • Cerebral Ventriculitis / surgery
  • Child
  • Drainage / instrumentation
  • Drainage / methods
  • Education / organization & administration
  • Education / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / microbiology
  • Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / prevention & control*
  • Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / surgery
  • Hand Hygiene / organization & administration*
  • Hand Hygiene / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Intensive Care Units
  • Middle Aged
  • Neurology
  • Quality Assurance, Health Care / trends

Grants and funding

The study was supported by CAPES (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superor). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.