SSC 2026 Guidelines now available — 129 adult & 61 pediatric recommendations View guidelines →
Evidence-based guideline for VAP prevention bundles, diagnostic approaches, empiric and targeted antimicrobial therapy, and surveillance in mechanically ventilated patients.
Evidence-based guidelines for infection prevention practice — methodology, implementation, and quality standards.
Evidence-based clinical guidelines for infection prevention practice — guideline development methodology, CLABSI prevention, and infection control standards.
Evidence-based guideline for CLABSI prevention, including insertion and maintenance bundles, supplemental strategies, diagnosis and management of catheter-related bloodstream infections, and surveillance.
Pathogen-directed therapy for MRSA, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, ESBL-producing Enterobacterales, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia with dosing tables, VAE versus traditional VAP surveillance reporting, NHSN definitions and algorithms, quality metrics including VAE rates and bundle compliance, and antibiotic stewardship considerations.
CLABSI prevention in neonates, immunocompromised patients, hemodialysis catheters, and long-term catheters; NHSN surveillance methodology; SIR calculation; CUSP framework; daily goals checklist; nurse empowerment; zero CLABSI sustainability.
Clinical diagnostic criteria, CPIS scoring table, microbiologic sampling strategies (ETA, BAL, mini-BAL) with quantitative thresholds, biomarker guidance, empiric antibiotic selection stratified by MDR risk with complete dosing tables and renal adjustments, de-escalation principles, short-course duration evidence, inhaled antibiotics, and treatment failure evaluation.
Antimicrobial-impregnated catheters, antimicrobial lock therapy, CHG-impregnated dressings, antibiotic ointments, diagnosis of CRBSI (paired blood cultures, differential time to positivity, catheter tip culture), empiric therapy, catheter removal vs salvage, duration of therapy by organism, and suppurative thrombophlebitis.
Comprehensive evidence review of VAP prevention bundle components including head-of-bed elevation, sedation management, oral care and chlorhexidine controversy, subglottic secretion drainage, ETT cuff pressure, suctioning, circuit management, early mobility, stress ulcer prophylaxis, and supplemental strategies including SDD/SOD, silver-coated ETTs, and probiotics.
Evidence-based insertion bundle components (hand hygiene, maximal sterile barriers, chlorhexidine antisepsis, site selection, daily necessity review) and maintenance bundle components (hub disinfection, CHG bathing, dressing management, needleless connectors, administration set changes) with supporting evidence.
Clinical and surveillance definitions of VAP, the VAE tier system (VAC, IVAC, PVAP), HAP versus VAP distinction, epidemiology including incidence and mortality data, pathogenesis of aspiration and biofilm formation, and modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors.
CLABSI and CRBSI definitions, NHSN surveillance criteria, mucosal barrier injury CLABSI, epidemiology by ICU type, attributable mortality and costs, pathogenesis of catheter colonization, microbiology, and risk factors.
Evidence-based guideline for risk stratification, empiric therapy, prophylaxis, and management of febrile neutropenia in cancer patients.
Evidence-based guide to needleless connectors and CLABSI prevention: connector types (split-septum, mechanical valve), scrub-the-hub technique, change intervals, passive disinfection caps, and selecting connectors to minimize CLABSI risk.
The complete evidence-based CLABSI prevention guide: CDC/NHSN definitions, insertion bundle, maintenance bundle, CHG bathing, antimicrobial strategies, surveillance, and Zero CLABSI implementation.
Comprehensive CLABSI prevention framework covering the complete evidence base: insertion bundle, maintenance bundle, CHG antisepsis, antimicrobial catheters, needleless connector management, surveillance definitions, and zero CLABSI implementation strategy.
Complete guide to the CLABSI maintenance bundle: scrub-the-hub technique, CHG-impregnated dressings, CHG daily bathing, needleless connector management, administration set change intervals, and daily necessity review and CDC guidelines.
Evidence-based guide to the CLABSI insertion bundle: 5 elements (hand hygiene, maximal sterile barrier, CHG antisepsis, optimal site selection, daily necessity review), implementation, and bundle compliance documentation.
Complete overview of CLABSI definition (NHSN criteria), epidemiology (incidence, mortality, cost), CLABSI vs CRBSI distinction, NHSN surveillance methodology, SIR benchmarking, and how CLABSI rates are calculated.
Evidence-based guide to chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) in CLABSI prevention: skin antisepsis (2% CHG vs povidone-iodine), CHG-impregnated dressings, daily CHG bathing, application technique, dry time requirements, and CHG safety considerations.
Evidence-based guide to antimicrobial-impregnated catheters (CHG/SS, minocycline-rifampin), antimicrobial dressings, and antimicrobial lock therapy for CLABSI prevention in high-risk settings — indications, evidence, and limitations.
Vascular access safety guidance for immunocompromised patients — those receiving chemotherapy, transplant recipients, patients on immunosuppressants or biologics — including why infection risk is higher, stricter fever thresholds, enhanced precautions, and when to seek care immediately.
Establishes standards for safe handling and disposal of regulated medical waste, sharps safety, needlestick injury prevention, use of safety-engineered devices, injury reporting, and patient and caregiver education for home infusion waste management.
How patients and families can help prevent IV-related infections, what hand hygiene means at the bedside, when to alert your care team, and what your nurses are doing to keep your catheter safe.
Mandates the integration of vascular access expertise into cross-disciplinary institutional safety programs and establishes the standards for safe care transitions involving patients with indwelling vascular access devices across acute, community, home, and long-term care settings.
Establishes supplementary infection prevention standards beyond standard precautions for patients with known or suspected communicable disease, including contact, droplet, and airborne precaution requirements, enhanced barrier precautions in long-term care, and crisis standards for pandemic response.
Establishes requirements for skin antisepsis and site preparation prior to vascular access device insertion, including antiseptic selection, application technique, and neonatal-specific precautions.
Evidence-based guidelines for the prevention, assessment, and management of catheter-associated skin injury (CASI) and medical adhesive-related skin injury (MARSI) in patients with peripheral and central vascular access devices, including risk assessment, dressing selection, atraumatic removal techniques, and management of established injury.
Development checklists (32-month, 22-month, and 6-month timelines), review and comment period procedures, writing panel author responsibilities, inclusive language guide, and acronyms for infection prevention guideline development.
Appendices covering document type definitions with peer review responsibilities, expert guidance and consensus statement proposal forms, recommendation terminology, and evidence quality classifications for infection prevention guideline development.
Purpose, definitions, proposal process, writing panel composition, systematic literature review, consensus methods, and review & approval procedures for infection prevention guideline development.
Establishes standards for post-insertion care of all vascular access devices, including systematic assessment protocols, dressing selection and change intervals, skin antisepsis, site protection, infection prevention strategies, documentation requirements, and population-specific considerations.
Establishes requirements for the appropriate selection, use, configuration, labeling, and replacement of primary and secondary administration sets for all infusion types, including standard solutions, parenteral nutrition, lipids, blood products, propofol, and hemodynamic monitoring systems.
Establishes standards for the application of Aseptic Non Touch Technique (ANTT®) across all invasive clinical procedures and vascular access device management, including risk assessment framework, aseptic field management, competency requirements, and environmental management.
Establishes comprehensive standards for hand hygiene practice across all care settings, including indications, approved techniques, product selection, fingernail and jewelry standards, and organizational compliance strategies to prevent healthcare-associated infections.
Evidence-based standards for safe compounding and preparation of parenteral solutions and medications, covering sterile technique, pharmacy-based preparation, vial and ampoule handling, labeling requirements, and competency requirements for all clinicians involved in medication preparation.
Establishes standards and requirements for flushing and locking all vascular access devices to maintain catheter patency, prevent occlusion, reduce catheter-associated bloodstream infection risk, and ensure safe medication delivery across all device types and patient populations.
Evidence-based standards for preventing, recognizing, and managing bloodstream infections associated with peripheral and central vascular access devices, including care bundles, diagnostic criteria, and device removal decisions.
Establishes baseline infection prevention standards applicable to all patient care activities regardless of diagnosis, including personal protective equipment selection and use, respiratory hygiene, equipment cleaning and disinfection, and care practices across transitional settings.
Establishes requirements for selection, disinfection, flushing and clamping sequences, replacement intervals, and infection prevention practices for all needleless connectors used on peripheral and central vascular access devices.