HAIs

Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality. HAIs impose significant burdens patient pain and suffering (including adverse sequelae), patient-care time and resources, risk for patient and practitioner cross-infection, and economic consequences, to name just a few. This is not happening in a vacuum, not only is this occurring in the U.S. healthcare system but also in numerous countries across the global stage. HAIs are considered a common cause of morbidity and mortality today and are ranked high among the most common adverse events in U.S. healthcare.(1)

The confluence of recent economic factors and emerging clinical evidence now makes the use of central venous access devices (CVADs) far less desirable than in the past. Conversely, the same factors and facts greatly enhance the appeal of midline catheterscatheters measuring 3 to 8 inches in length, inserted in an upper arm vein and with tip location distal to the shoulder.(1,2) Evidence now demonstrates that certain Midlines offer patients the possibility of full length of stay infusion therapy, with reduced risk of bloodstream infection and avoidance of repetitive needlesticks for labs and restarts. Thus, in many cases, midlines are becoming the go-to device for safe, uninterrupted intravenous (IV) therapy.

The African Partnerships for Patient Safety (APPS) program, a World Health Organization (WHO) program, has paired 14 African hospitals each with a hospital in England, France or Switzerland.