As part of the Full Line Access and Safe Handling (FLASH) team, Ivy Lynn Ersan shares how central line resource nurses are improving patient outcomes in the Newborn Center. Read more
March 30, 2021
March 16, 2021
In recognition of Certified Nurses Day on March 19, Khanh Nguyen shares why she obtained her specialty certification in inpatient obstetrics and how it benefits her and her patients. Read more
March 9, 2021
Chief Nursing Officer Jackie Ward highlights key messages from her Nursing Town Hall presentation last week including a recording of the event for nurses to watch at their convenience. Read more
March 2, 2021
The countdown clock is ticking. Texas Children’s Chief Nursing Officer Jackie Ward, DNP, RN, NE-BC, will host her first nursing town hall since assuming her new leadership role. Don’t miss out – the town hall will be hosted virtually via Microsoft Teams Live from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 3.
During Jackie’s presentation, she will highlight her vision for nursing including her strategic plan that will build upon our nursing team’s past successes in advancing patient care, quality and safety outcomes through nursing excellence. The town hall will also include time for responses to pre-submitted questions. Any unanswered questions will be responded to via individual email or the “Ask the CNO” feature on the Voice of Nursing blog.
As always, patient care is our first priority, and we know not all nurses will be able to watch the livestream of the town hall. However, nurses can still participate by viewing the town hall on-demand. The link to the town hall recording will be available on Voice of Nursing after the event.
For more details and instructions on how to access the livestream, click here to view the flyer.
In this video, several nursing leaders share why they received the COVID-19 vaccine, and they have a special message for their colleagues who haven’t scheduled their vaccine yet. Read more
February 23, 2021
Lauren Salinas shares how the CVICU nursing team achieved zero primary (non-mucosal barrier injury) central line-associated bloodstream infections for the month of January. Read more
February 16, 2021
Our nursing team has a big reason to celebrate. During the month of January 2021 the team achieved zero primary (non-mucosal barrier injury) central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI), demonstrating the value of teamwork and our hospital’s commitment to cultivating an environment for safe patient care.
“We are so proud of our teams for the tireless work that goes into caring for our patients with central lines,” said Kathleen Magee, Nursing Director lead for the CLABSI Hospital Acquired Conditions (HAC) workgroup.
“We could not have accomplished this goal without such strong collaboration from our front line nurses and PCAs, medical team, infection control colleagues and perioperative teams that place these lines. It is so great to see that hard work pay off and result in zero primary CLABSI for our patients.”
What are CLABSI?
Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI), also known as a Hospital Acquired Condition (HAC), are a serious infection that occurs when bacteria enters the bloodstream through a patient’s central line.
How are CLABSI prevented?
To prevent CLABSI health care providers must follow a strict protocol when inserting the line to ensure it remains sterile and CLABSI do not occur. In addition to inserting the central line properly, providers must use stringent infection control practices every time they check the line or change the dressing. Patients who get a CLABSI have a fever, and might have red skin and soreness around the central line. If this happens, health care providers can do tests to learn if there is an infection present.
How did Texas Children’s achieve this milestone?
Some strategies to achieve this milestone include determining the necessity of the line in the care of the patient and the use of CHG treatments. Additionally, routine central line dressing and tubing changes can help mitigate the incidence of CLABSI.
The last time Texas Children’s achieved zero cases of CLABSI was in June 2015.