Care bundles are a form of standardization.
They represent a collection of evidence based processes that,
when performed together, improve outcome.
For example, central venous lines, CVL infections, in our ICUs.
This is a serious problem,
80,000 infections per year resulting in 28,000 deaths per year.
In other words, one in three of these infections is fatal.
Peter Pronovost of Johns Hopkins began promoting the catheter insertion bundle,
and this bundle was applied to over 100 Michigan hospitals.
CVL infections dropped from a mean rate of 7.7 to 1.4 per
thousand catheterizations over a 16 to 18 month period.
The bundle consisted of hand-washing, use of full barrier precautions
with central line placement, that means drapes, gowns, masks and gloves.
Cleaning the insertion site with chlorhexidine, a very strong disinfectant.
Avoiding the use of femoral catheters whenever possible.
And removing all unnecessary catheters as soon as possible.