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Introduction of an IV cannulation survey at St. Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, utilising a continuous quality improvement approach.

Maxine Thomson and Mary Molloy

Abstract

This paper describes the processes and outcomes of a continuous prospective I.V. cannulation policy survey commenced at St. Vincent's Hospital in October 1988.

The processes used included audit tools, designed to identify and evaluate problem areas; the documentation of the process; staff educational activities and the cost effectiveness of the process.

The results of this survey has enabled us to:

  1. revise the hospital I.V. cannulation policies;
  2. change inappropriate practices;
  3. enhance medical and nursing staff awareness of Infection Control issues /problems;
  4. revise our education strategies for insertion and care of the I.V. cannulae provided;
  5. throughout the Hospital;
  6. reduce the number of unnecessary IV cannulae used.

This Infection Control programme allows us to analyse infection related problems in an institution and identify procedures and practices that will improve patient care.

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This is an abstract only.

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