Bloodstream infections addressed in Joint Commission toolkit

Healthcare professionals looking to curb the number of preventable infections in their facilities have a new resource to consult: a toolkit developed by the Joint Commission, Joint Commission Resources and Joint Commission International.

The toolkit and an accompanying monograph provide information and guidance on practices, technology, tools, resources and education related to central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs). The resources are designed for those who insert and care for central venous catheters as well as those who are responsible for the surveillance, prevention and control of infections in all healthcare settings.

“These devastating bloodstream infections don’t need to happen,” says Patricia Stone, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN, the Centennial Professor of Health Policy in Nursing at the Columbia University School of Nursing, who contributed to the guidelines. “Nurses are on the front lines and can take advantage of their constant contact with patients and other caregivers to explain infection-control techniques and help health facilities develop and enforce standards of care that have been proven effective against CLABSI,” she added.

The Joint Commission also recently issued a brochure to educate people about dementia and forgetfulness.

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Lois Bowers

Lois A. Bowers was senior editor of I Advance Senior Care / Long-Term Living from 2013-2015.