Education of Physicians-in-Training Can Decrease the Risk for Vascular Catheter Infection

BACKGROUND: Procedure instruction for physicians-in-training is usually nonstandardized. The authors observed that during insertion of central venous catheters (CVCs), few physicians used full-size sterile drapes (an intervention proven to reduce the risk for CVC-related infection). OBJECTIVE: To improve standardization of infection control practices and techniques during invasive procedures. DESIGN: Nonrandomized pre-post observational trial. SETTING: Six intensive care units and one step-down unit at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina. PARTICIPANTS: Third-year medical students and physicians completing their first postgraduate year. INTERVENTION: A 1-day course on infection control practices and procedures given in June 1996 and June 1997. MEASUREMENTS: Surveys assessing physician attitudes toward use of sterile techniques during insertion of CVCs were administered during the baseline year and just before, immediately after, and 6 months after the first course. Preintervention and postintervention use of full-size sterile drapes was measured, and surveillance for vascular catheter-related infection was performed. RESULTS: The perceived need for full-size sterile drapes was 22% in the year before the course and 73% 6 months after the course (P < 0. 001). The perceived need for small sterile towels at the insertion site decreased reciprocally (P < 0. 001). Documented use of full-size sterile drapes increased from 44% to 65% (P < 0. 001). The rate of catheter-related infection decreased from 4. 51 infections per 1000 patient-days before the first course to 2. 92 infections per 1000 patient-days 18 months after the first course (average decrease, 3. 23 infections per 1000 patient-days; P < 0. 01). The estimated cost savings of this 28% decrease was at least 63000 and may have exceeded 800000. CONCLUSIONS: Standardization of infection control practices through a course is a cost-effective way to decrease related adverse outcomes. If these findings can be reproduced, this approach may serve as a model for physicians-in-training.