I-Care
Recommended Practices
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What is the I-Care Program?
In recent years, a large number of interventions have been developed to prevent healthcare associated intravascular device-related bloodstream infections. The CHRISP I-Care Project has consolidated all these interventions into one document called Recommended Practices, for the six main types of intravascular devices (IVD). The Recommended Practices have been specifically tailored for the Queensland Health environment and are broad statements used to guide policy and procedure development in specific work environments.
The purpose of the Recommended Practices is to provide evidence-based support to healthcare professionals related to the insertion and management of six intravascular devices. The I-Care recommended practices were developed by critically appraising the literature including existing guidelines. Not included in the I-Care recommended practices is information associated with the insertion and management of arterial, pulmonary artery, intraosseous and epidural catheters or pressure monitoring devices.
By using the acronym I-Care we are reinforcing the key steps healthcare professionals need to take to prevent intravascular device-related bloodstream infections that is - cleaning their hands, using alcoholic chlorhexidine to prepare the insertion site, using sterile alcohol swabs to clean injection ports before accessing, reviewing the need for the IVD on a daily basis and removing it when no longer required, and educating everyone about I-Care.
How to use the I-Care Resources
The Recommended Practices contained in the I-Care, provides resources for the support of evidence-based practice in relation to the prevention of healthcare associated IVD-related BSIs. The Recommended Practices need to be reviewed and applied, based on the specific needs of the facility or practice setting. Healthcare professionals responsible for leading and facilitating practice change will find the I-Care recommended practices valuable for the development of policies, procedures, protocols, educational programs, assessments and documentation tools related to IVD management.
How to implement the I-Care Recommended Practices
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Assess current healthcare practices using the I-CARE recommended practices
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Identify needs or gaps in practices and services
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Systematically develop a plan to implement the recommended practices using I-CARE associated resources such as the implementation checklist
How to sustain I-Care
In order to ensure sustainability of I-Care including the recommended practices, an action plan outlining roles and responsibilities has been developed which can be customised for each hospital/Health Service District. CHRISP is committed to supporting strategies that minimise or prevent healthcare associated infections, and intravascular device-related bloodstream infection surveillance and analysis will form one of the core components of an Infection Control Management Plan.
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