Introduction

CRRT is a form of dialysis that is prescribed for patients who are hemodynamically unstable. Often, dialysis needs to be terminated due to filter clotting or when patient requires to undergo procedures such as scans or surgery. During the termination of CRRT, blood in the circuit will be returned back to patient to prevent hypotension and blood loss. Currently, the process of returning blood requires a number of consumables, long procedure time and involves breakage of the closed-system. Our proposed improved process will help in reducing healthcare cost, reduce manpower time and reduce the risk of infection.

Objectives:

To improve the efficiency in the returning of blood in CRRT by shortening the time frame by 50%.

Method

A 3 step solutions was implemented 1)Pre-bundle pack consumables; 2) using a closed-system method in the returning of blood in CRRT; 3) to educate and competent staff on the improved process.

In our project, time measurement were taken during the process in the returning blood in CRRT pre- and post-implementation of the solutions. Additionally, cost of cosumables, man-hours, numbers of line infection were measured to evalute the efficiency of the newly implemented solutions.

Result

30 pre-implementation and 30 post-implementation data were collected. Time saved to return blood in CRRT was 10 mins. There was also reduction in consumables cost and man-hours saved. However, there was no different in number of line infection observed.

Conclusion

The new process has improved the efficiency in the returning of blood in CRRT. With the positive outcomes and feedbacks gathered from participants, the new process will be implemented to other areas and centres with CRRT.