Publication Date

1997

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Oddi, Lorys

Degree Name

M.S. (Master of Science)

Legacy Department

School of Nursing

LCSH

Catheters--Sanitation; Microbial contamination; Catheterization--Complications

Abstract

The optimal frequency for changing flush solution, as part of the pressuremonitoring system for arterial catheters, has not yet been determined. Contamination of the flush solution is a concern, as it can contribute to a nosocomial bloodstream infection. The purpose of this study was to compare the contamination rates between nurse-prepared flush solutions at three change time intervals. Seventy adult, critically ill patients provided the sample for the study. In Group A (n?=19), the control group, a 24-hour interval between changes of flush solution was used, according to the policy of the study hospital. In Group B (n?=31), a 48-hour interval between changes was used, while in Group C (n?=20), a 72-hour interval between changes was used. No significant difference regarding contamination of flush solution was found between groups (F? = 1.60, p? = .2087). These findings suggest that changing nurse-prepared flush solution every 48 or 72 hours presents no greater risk of a bloodstream infection than changing flush solution every 24 hours.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references (pages [40]-42)

Extent

vi, 70 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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