Impact of a dedicated intravenous therapy team on nosocomial bloodstream infection rates, ,

Background: Meticulous care of intravenous catheters could be expected to minimize associated nosocomial bloodstream infections, but care is often suboptimal. Methods: To examine the ostensible benefits of a professional, dedicated intravenous therapy team, we compared the secular trends in nosocomial bloodstream infections before and after such a team was established. Results: After the introduction of the team at the Veterans Administration Medical Center, the rate of primary nosocomial bloodstream infection decreased by 35% (1.1 to 0.7 infections/1000 patient-days, P< .01), including a 51% decrease in bloodstream infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus (P< .01). The excess cost of the team was $252,000 per year. The excess costs per life saved and infection prevented were projected to be $53,000 and $14,000, respectively. Conclusions: The introduction of a dedicated intravenous therapy team was associated with a significant reduction in nosocomial bloodstream infections. Further work is needed to maximize the cost-benefit ratio of this intervention. (AJIC Am J Infect Control 1998;26:388-92)