To address the recent increase in facility-acquired catheter infections, the charge nurse should take the following steps:
1. **Identify possible precipitating factors related to the infections**: This is the first action the nurse should take. By identifying the factors contributing to the infections, such as improper catheter care, lack of hand hygiene, or specific patient conditions, the nurse can better understand the root causes and develop targeted solutions.
2. **Meet with providers to discuss measures to decrease the infections**: After identifying the precipitating factors, meeting with providers to discuss and implement measures to decrease infections is crucial. This collaboration can lead to the development of evidence-based practices and protocols aimed at reducing the incidence of catheter-related infections.
3. **Revise the current policy for catheter care**: Once possible factors are identified and measures are discussed, revising the current policy for catheter care becomes important. Updating the policy to reflect best practices, guidelines, and newly implemented measures can help standardize care and minimize the risk of infections.
4. **Schedule nursing staff training for infection control procedures**: Lastly, scheduling training for nursing staff on infection control procedures is essential. Educating staff on proper catheter care techniques, hand hygiene practices, and infection prevention protocols can significantly reduce the occurrence of facility-acquired catheter infections.
By following these steps in a systematic manner, the charge nurse can effectively address and mitigate the issue of increased catheter infections in the facility.
