CSI Project

Look Verify Apply Defend- Prevent Infections with Every Dressing Change!

Advocate Christ Medical Center, Oak Lawn, Illinois

CSI Summary

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Summary

CSI Presentation

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Presentation

CSI Toolkit

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Toolkit

Added to Collection

Project Topic:

Implementation of standardized education and sterile technique for LVAD driveline dressing changes to reduce infection rates.

Hospital, City and State:

Advocate Christ Medical Center, Oak Lawn, Illinois

Unit:

9 West Cardiac Step-down Unit

CSI Participants:

  • Belgin Hughes, BSN, RN
  • Randa Jaber, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC
  • Jose Lozada, BSN, RN

Project Goals/Objectives:

  1. Reduce LVAD driveline infection rates by 50% within 12 months.
  2. Standardize driveline dressing change technique across all staff to ensure consistency and prevent contamination.
  3. Educate and validate competency for both nursing staff and patient caregivers.
  4. Implement a structured auditing and feedback system to ensure adherence to best practices.

Project Outcomes:

  1. Infection rates reduced from 20% in April 2024 to 4% by April 2025.
  2. Increased compliance with standardized sterile technique during driveline dressing changes.
  3. Improved caregiver confidence and competency through hands-on education and follow-up sign-offs.
  4. Enhanced interdepartmental collaboration between nurses, LVAD coordinators, and physicians.

Project Overview:

The project aimed to address high infection rates in LVAD patients by implementing a standardized education program for driveline dressing changes. The team developed a step-by-step sterile technique protocol, mandatory competency validation for all nurses with at least one year of experience, and structured patient/family education sessions. Continuous auditing, rotation of skill refreshers, and the use of visual reminders ensured sustainability.

Permission to Reuse Materials
The materials associated with this AACN Clinical Scene Investigator (CSI) Academy project are the property of the participating hospital noted above, not AACN. Requests to use content contained in the CSI team’s summary, presentation or toolkit should be directed to the hospital. We suggest reaching out to the hospital’s Communications, Marketing or Nursing Education department for assistance.

Disclaimer
The AACN CSI Academy program supports change projects based on quality improvement methods. Although CSI teams seek to ensure linkage between their project and clinical/fiscal outcomes, data cannot be solely attributed to the project and are estimations of impact.