Final answer:
Central line infections occur when patients develop infections after having central intravenous lines inserted. Using a checklist of steps during central line insertion can significantly reduce the risk of infection and its complications. The checklist has been shown to be effective in reducing central line infections.
Step-by-step explanation:
Central Line Infections
Central line infections occur when patients in intensive care units (ICUs) develop infections after having central intravenous lines inserted. These infections can be caused by human error when doctors skip steps to prevent infection during central line insertion.
Improvement: Using a Checklist
One proposed change to improve central line infections is the use of a checklist, similar to the ones used by airplane pilots before takeoff. Dr. Peter Pronovost developed a checklist of five steps that doctors need to follow when inserting a central line. By adhering to this checklist, the risk of infection and its associated complications can be significantly reduced.
Effectiveness of Checklist
The use of a checklist has been shown to be effective in reducing central line infections. In an experiment conducted by Dr. Pronovost, doctors who followed the checklist had lower infection rates. Nurses also played a crucial role in observing and speaking up if a doctor skipped a step, further enhancing patient safety.