Date of Conferral

2020

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Eric S. Anderson

Abstract

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), drug-resistant bacterial infection, is a pressing global health care issue that decreases patients’ quality of life and places a high burden on health care delivery systems. The purpose of this quality improvement evaluation project was to evaluate an infection prevention management program derived from evidence-based research to decrease the incidence of MRSA in peripherally inserted intravenous catheters (PIVs) in acute care settings through the utilization of the Biopatch disc. The practice-focused question addressed whether the use the Biopatch disc over a 6-month period in acute care would coincide with a reduction of the incidence of MRSA infection in PIVs. The number of MRSA infections at the hospital project site during a 30-day pre-implementation period was compared to those during 2 post-implementation phases of Biopatch disc usage. Deming’s model for continuous quality improvement served as the conceptual framework. Data were analyzed using the Fisher’s exact test. The plan, do, study, and act phases of Deming’s model were used in a rapid-cycle format during the evaluation, which allowed for changes in protocol as feedback was gathered. Results suggest that the Biopatch disc could possibly decrease the incidence of MRSA in PIVs when utilized according to organizational protocols. Infection prevention, quality improvement, and risk management teams should be able to collaborate and develop local and regional surveillance programs based on use of the Biopatch. This project had the potential to effect positive social change by improving the quality of life and safety of patients in acute care setting, and by reducing costs of healthcare overall so as to promote broader access to quality healthcare across populations.

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