Quality Improvement Project to Assess the Impact of Gum Mastic Liquid Adhesive on the Integrity and Durability of Driveline Dressings, Risk of Infection, and Patient Satisfaction
Frequent driveline (DL) dressing changes increase the risk of infection. Dressings secured using gum mastic liquid adhesive were intact for at least 7 days. Exit-site conditions were similar overall, except for drainage in the control group. Improved dressing integrity resulted in a 14-week cost savings of $161.42/patient. Patients using liquid adhesive reported more confidence in maintaining DL exit site.Highlights
The intervention kit, which included the gum mastic liquid adhesive and the liquid adhesive remover, was bundled specifically for the patients participating in the quality improvement project.
Dressing integrity by percentage (a) with gum mastic liquid adhesive versus control at 14 weeks and (b) by comparison of assessments.
Dressing durability with gum mastic liquid adhesive versus control. (a) Average dressing age (in days) at 14 weeks. (b) Percentage of dressings intact for 7 days or more at week 14.
Exit-site skin conditions at the driveline exit site. (Top) Images illustrating drainage at the exit site of a patient in the control group at the beginning of the study (on left) and no discharge at the exit site of a patient in the intervention group on day 7 (on right). Assessment of the skin conditions surrounding the exit site (a) and the exit-site conditions (c) at 14 weeks in the control and intervention groups. C/D/I = clear/dry/intact.
Impact of training for bundled care procedure with gum mastic liquid adhesive plus liquid adhesive remover on dressing integrity outcomes: week 1 versus weeks 2–15.
Per-patient cost savings of switching to gum mastic liquid adhesive once per week, at 14 weeks, and annually (projected).
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