Date of Conferral

8-17-2026

Date of Award

August 2026

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Jill Sanko

Abstract

This was a staff education quality improvement project aimed at improving compliance with central line maintenance documentation among nurses on a busy transitional care unit (TCU). The practice problem was inconsistent documentation of central line bundle documentation. Documentation is an important part of nursing care and is the most effective way to communicate the care provided. Effective documentation is a pivotal way of identifying evidence-based care to prevent central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs). The practice-focused question was, In nursing staff working on an inpatient TCU, what is the impact of targeted education on evidence-based central venous catheter bundle care documentation, on catheter bundle care documentation compliance over a 4-week period? The data collected through retrospective chart audits were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Eighty-two percent of the nursing staff (N = 24 ) participated in the education. Overall documentation compliance improved from 52.4% to 76.7%. Although the target goal of 95% was not met, the result demonstrated improvement and suggests that targeted staff education can improve adherence to central line documentation practices. Major products of the project included educational materials, a quick-reference guide, and an audit-tracking process. The project has implications for nursing practice and patient safety; supporting CLABSI prevention efforts and helping ensure that all patients with central lines receive consistently monitored, equitably delivered, safe care. The leaders of the practice site, a safety net academic center with a large, vulnerable, underinsured patient population, have a duty to ensure that patients receive high-quality care and avoid infections that could place them at risk.

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