Publication Date
Spring 2026
Presentation Length
Poster/Gallery presentation
College
Gordon E. Inman College of Nursing
Department
Nursing, School of
Student Level
Undergraduate
Faculty Mentor
Linda Wofford
Presentation Type
Poster
Summary
This quality improvement project aims to improve consistency of nurse compliance with daily chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) bathing in a local oncology unit to reduce the risk of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI’s). CLABSI’s remain a preventable source of patient morbidity, prolonged hospitalization, delayed cancer treatment, and increased healthcare costs, particularly among immunocompromised oncology patients who frequently require central venous access. Evidence supports daily CHG bathing as an effective infection prevention intervention; however, inconsistent completion and documentation across day and night shifts limit reliability in practice. This project addresses both documentation accuracy and actual bathing completion to ensure care consistency. Implementation will include an incentive program initiated by a brief five-minute staff huddle education session, baseline compliance auditing, and a one-month pilot period supported by nurse champions who provide weekly compliance feedback and reinforce accountability. Evaluation will include chart audits measuring CHG bath documentation rates, frequency of missed documentation, staff participation, and comparison of day versus night shift compliance. The top three of the nurses meeting requirements for compliance will receive a monetary gift. Patient interviews and periodic observational review will also be used to verify whether documented baths reflect actual care delivery. The primary outcome is achieving at least 90% documented and verified CHG bathing compliance within one month with sustained improvement over three months. Embedding feedback processes and recognition into existing workflow supports long-term sustainability and potential expansion to additional oncology units, strengthening patient safety and nursing practice reliability.
Recommended Citation
Livingston, Kaitlyn R.; Crites, Kennedy G.; Razo, Jazmine; Radigan, Erin; and Crites, Kennedy, "Free Money and Safer Patients" (2026). SPARK Symposium Presentations. 909.
https://repository.belmont.edu/spark_presentations/909
