Using Antimicrobial Dressings to Decrease Catheter-Related Blood Stream Infections (CRBSIs)

Recorded On: 06/05/2022

Estimating the number of preventable CRBSIs associated with all vascular access devices (VADs) is difficult due to the lack of available surveillance data. Currently, central line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are the only national reporting requirement related to VADs. While the prevalence and impact of CLABSIs alone is concerning, there remains an unknown and likely significant number of preventable infections associated with noncentral VADs. To prevent CRBSIs, it is critical that all VADs remain protected throughout the life of the catheter. An effective way to accomplish this is using antimicrobial dressings. In this session, clinicians will understand how CRBSI protection may be advanced through a review of evidence-based practices and the latest advancement in antimicrobial dressing formulations.

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

1.     Describe the main causes of CRBSIs and how they develop

2.     Recognize how an in-depth review of the latest antimicrobial dressing studies supports the use of antimicrobial dressings in the prevention of CRBSIs

3.     Discuss the need for a national expansion of an evidence-based bacteremia prevention initiative for ALL vascular access devices

Robert Garcia, MT(ASCP), CIC, FAPIC

Robert Garcia is an infection preventionist/consultant and has been a member of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) since 1980. In 2016, he was selected as a fellow at the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), a designation for experienced IPs who have had significant contributions to the field of infection prevention. He is the certification infection preventionist/director at nine hospitals in New York City and the principal researcher on the effectiveness of silver-hydrogel urinary catheters, chlorhexidine skin antisepsis, and comprehensive oral care. Robert is a current or former member of APIC’s National Strategic Planning Board, Education Committee, and/or CBIC, as well as a trainer for APIC’s EPI Clinical Course. He is a contributor to APIC’s Text of Infection Control and Epidemiology; was a reviewer for the 2005 HICPAC Guidelines on Isolation; and since 2001 has been an editorial board member and/or reviewer for the American Journal of Infection Control, where in 2016 he was ranked among the top 25th percentile of reviewers. He has more than 100 publications and media interviews ranging from institutional costs of infection to prevention of HAIs to environmental contamination to microbiology to reducing occupational exposures.

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