Impact of a dedicated intravenous therapy team on nosocomial bloodstream infection rates.

BACKGROUND Meticulous care of intravenous catheters could be expected to minimize associated nosocomial bloodstream infections, but care is often suboptimal. METHODS To examine the ostensible benefits of a professional, dedicated intravenous therapy team, we compared the secular trends in nosocomial bloodstream infections before and after such a team was established. RESULTS After the introduction of the team at the Veterans Administration Medical Center, the rate of primary nosocomial bloodstream infection decreased by 35% (1.1 to 0.7 infections/1000 patients-days, P < .01), including a 51% decrease in bloodstream infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus (P < .01). The excess cost of the team was $252,000 per year. The excess costs per life saved and infection prevented were projected to be $53,000 and $14,000, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The introduction of a dedicated intravenous therapy team was associated with a significant reduction in nosocomial bloodstream infections. Further work is needed to maximize the cost-benefit ratio of this intervention.