Device-Associated (DA) Module

An estimated 2 million healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) occur in hospitals alone, each year in the United States.¹ Many of these are associated with the use of medical devices. The purpose of the Device-Associated Module is to allow healthcare facilities to monitor infectious complications associated with the use certain types of these devices with the ultimate goal of reducing or eliminating these (HAIs).

Both outcome monitoring and process monitoring of healthcare practices are possible using the NHSN. Currently HAIs associated with the use of vascular catheters, respiratory ventilators, and indwelling urinary catheters can be monitored in NHSN. Outcome measurements that can be monitored are Central Line-associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSIs), Dialysis Events (DEs), Ventilator-associated Pneumonias (VAPs) and Catheter-associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTIs). In addition, NHSN enables facilities to participate in process monitoring of Central Line Insertion Practices (CLIPs). Data collected as a part of this monitoring include hand hygiene, barrier use and skin preparation data during central line placements, all practices which when done correctly, have been shown to reduce the rate of CLABSIs.

Finally, facilities can also calculate Device-utilization (DU) ratios for various patient care areas within their facility, and compare these ratios to national data. This allows a facility to identify significant differences between their ratios of usage for central lines, and/or ventilators, and national ratios. More frequent use of medical devices can negatively impact BSI and pneumonia rates. This knowledge can then be utilized for internal discussions exploring reasons for frequent instrumentation and possible quality improvement activities. Protocols which outline the mechanisms and methods of surveillance are included for the following NHSN Events:

• CLABSI - Central line-associated bloodstream infection
• CLIP - Central line insertion practices adherence
• CAUTI - Catheter-associated urinary tract infection
• VAP - Ventilator-associated pneumonia
• DE - Dialysis Event

¹McKibben L, Horan T Guidance on public reporting of healthcare-associated infections: recommendations of the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee. AJIC 2005;33:217-26.

Corresponding Materials