Authors (including presenting author) :
Ng KY (1), Chan LI (1), Wan TK (1)
Affiliation :
(1) Intensive Care Unit, Caritas Medical Centre
Introduction :
Blood culture is a laboratory test to check for microorganisms in blood. This test is an important diagnostic tool for identifying the pathogen responsible for a patient’s infection. When indicated, blood cultures should be obtained prior to the starting of antimicrobial therapy.
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Aug, 23), the source of the blood culture contamination which may resulted from the poor collection technique and insufficient skin disinfection contact time.
In October 2023, blood culture contamination rate during central venous catheter insertion was high in CMC ICU with 12.5%. Therefore, the blood culture collection practices were revisited and found that the lack of skin disinfectant contact time was the major loophole identified.
An improvement program on reduction of contaminated blood culture during central venous catheter insertion was formulated.
Objectives :
(1) The contact time for skin disinfectant is at least 30 seconds is demonstrated in blood sample collection; (2) The blood culture contamination rate is reduced.
Methodology :
An education video regarding hand hygiene, full PPE compliance and skin disinfection contact time was produced in 3Q23. Promulgation of the education video to doctors and nurses was carried out in 3Q23. Audit was performed in 4Q23 for review.
Result & Outcome :
4 sessions of education video were carried out and audits proposal are introduced to staff in 3Q23. 5 audits were performed in 4Q23.
The overall compliance of the skin disinfectant contact time was 100% complied. The blood culture contamination rate during central venous catheter insertion reduced from 12.5% in October 2023 to Zero from January to April 2024.
