In:
Journal of Neuroscience Nursing, Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health), Vol. 53, No. 1 ( 2021-2), p. 44-48
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: External ventricular drains (EVDs) are commonly used in neurosurgery. Preventing EVD-related infections is important, and nursing plays a significant role in infection control. However, because of the limited number of neurosurgical nurses and heavy workload in developing countries, well-trained patient care technicians (PCTs) might be able to assist nurses under this circumstance. METHODS: This study retrospectively screened patients who underwent EVD procedures in our medical center from January 2012 to June 2018. Clinical characteristics including EVD-related infection rates of patients with or without PCTs were compared. RESULTS: We analyzed 234 patients in total. There were 26 EVD infection cases, and the overall infection rate was 11.1%. There were 122 patients who were given additional care by PCTs. They were elder (58.1 ± 13.1 vs 49.9 ± 17.0 years old, P 〈 .001) and had lower level preoperational Glasgow Coma Scale (7.04 ± 3.66 vs 13.5 ± 2.53, P 〈 .001) and higher intubation rate (28.7% vs 3.6%, P 〈 .001) than those without PCTs. They also had a longer drainage duration (10.3 ± 4.97 vs 8.01 ± 4.35, P 〈 .001) as well as more cerebrospinal fluid sampling times (2.45 ± 2.00 vs 1.75 ± 1.83, P = .006) and were kept at artificial airway status for a longer duration (10.1 ± 18.7 vs 1.93 ± 7.86, P 〈 .001). External ventricular drain–related infection rates were similar between 2 groups (11.5% vs 10.7%, P = .853). CONCLUSION: Patient care technicians with proper training are beneficial to the prevention of EVD-related infection as a measure of improving staffing adequacy.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1945-2810
,
0888-0395
DOI:
10.1097/JNN.0000000000000561
Language:
English
Publisher:
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Publication Date:
2021
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