Luer lock connections are essential for managing vascular access devices and equipment used in infusion therapies across inpatient, outpatient, and home care settings.  However, due to the difficulty of disconnecting some of these devices, many workarounds have been implemented, leading to possible complications such as medication errors and risk of infection. By learning proper connection and disconnection procedures, these complications, including central line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI), can be reduced and even prevented. This session will discuss the application of systems-based thinking to identify and address disconnection challenges, tool improvisation, and training gaps, resulting in a nurse-centered prototype designed to reduce catheter-related complications, improve patient safety and satisfaction, and decrease health care costs. 

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, learners will be able to:  

• Explain how tool availability and training may influence nurses’ use of workarounds with catheter luer disconnections 
• Describe the impact of workarounds on patient safety, catheter management, and nursing workflow efficiency 
• Evaluate the benefits of a nurse-centered disconnection device in reducing health care costs and improving patient safety and patient satisfaction outcomes 
• Apply evidence-based and systems-based strategies to enhance catheter disconnection practices, including training opportunities across various health care settings 

Contact Hours: 1

CRNI^® RUs: 2