2021 AQI70: Prevention of Arterial Line Related Bloodstream Infections 

Measure Description

Percentage of patients, regardless of age, who undergo placement of a peripheral intra-arterial catheter for whom the arterial line was inserted with all indicated elements of sterile barrier technique, hand hygiene, skin preparation and, if ultrasound is used, sterile ultrasound techniques followed.

This measure will consist of two performance rates:

a. Percentage of patients, regardless of age, who undergo placement of a peripheral intra-arterial line in the brachial, radial, posterior tibial or dorsalis pedis artery for whom the arterial line was inserted with all indicated elements of sterile barrier technique, hand hygiene, skin preparation and, if ultrasound is used, sterile ultrasound techniques followed

b. Percentage of patients, regardless of age, who undergo placement of a peripheral intra-arterial line in the femoral or axillary artery for whom the arterial line was inserted with all indicated elements of maximal sterile barrier technique, hand hygiene, skin preparation and, if ultrasound is used, sterile ultrasound technique is followed

The overall measure score will be calculated as an average of the performance rates of part A and part B.

Denominator

a. All patients, regardless of age, who undergo placement of an intra-arterial catheter in the brachial, radial, posterior tibial or dorsalis pedis arteryDenominator Criteria (Eligible Cases):All patients, regardless of ageANDPatient encounter during the reporting period (CPT): 36620ANDIntra-arterial catheter placed in brachial, radial, posterior tibial, or dorsalis pedis artery: 11A71

b.All patients, regardless of age, who undergo placement of an intra-arterial catheter in the femoral or axillaryarteryDenominator Criteria (Eligible Cases):All patients, regardless of ageANDPatient encounter during the reporting period (CPT): 36620ANDIntra-arterial catheter placed in femoral or axillary artery: 11A72

Numerator

a. Patients for whom intra-arterial catheter was inserted with all indicated elements of sterile barrier technique, hand hygiene, skin preparation (including >0.5% chlorhexidine with alcohol, unless there is a contraindication to chlorhexidine), and, if ultrasound is used, sterile ultrasound techniques followedNumerator Definitions:Sterile Barrier Technique: Includes all of the following elements: Cap AND mask AND sterile gloves AND sterile draping. Sterile Ultrasound Techniques: Require sterile gel and sterile probe covers Numerator Quality-Data Coding Options for Reporting SatisfactorilyPerformance Met:11A74 All indicated elements of sterile barrier technique, hand hygiene, skin preparation, and, if ultrasound is used, sterile ultrasound techniques followedORDenominator Exception:11A75 Documentation of medical reason(s) for not following all indicated elements of sterile barrier technique, hand hygiene, skin preparation, and, if ultrasound is used, sterile ultrasound techniques during intra-arterial catheter insertion (e.g. An emergency surgical, therapeutic, or diagnostic procedure or an unanticipated worsening of the patient’s clinical condition so that adherence would cause delay in arterial line insertion resulting in increased risk of harm to patient)ORPerformance Not Met:11A76 All indicated elements of sterile barrier technique, hand hygiene, skin preparation, and if ultrasound is used, sterile ultrasound techniques not followed, reason not otherwise specified

b. Patients for whom intra-arterial catheter was inserted with all elements of maximal sterile barrier technique, hand hygiene, skin preparation (including >0.5% chlorhexidine with alcohol, unless there is a contraindication to chlorhexidine), and, if ultrasound is used, sterile ultrasound techniques followedNumerator Definitions:Maximal Sterile Barrier Technique – includes all of the following elements: Cap AND mask AND sterile gloves AND sterile gown AND sterile full body draping Sterile Ultrasound Techniques- Require sterile gel and sterile probe coversNumerator Quality-Data Coding Options for Reporting SatisfactorilyPerformance Met:11A77 All elements of maximal sterile barrier technique, hand hygiene, skin preparation, and, if ultrasound is used, sterile ultrasound techniques followed.ORDenominator Exception:11A78 Documentation of medical reason(s) for not following all elements of maximal sterile barrier technique, hand hygiene, skin preparation, and, if ultrasound is used, sterile ultrasound techniques during intra-arterial catheter insertion (e.g. An emergency surgical, therapeutic, or diagnostic procedure or an unanticipated worsening of the patient’s clinical condition so that adherence would cause delay in arterial line insertion resulting in increased risk of harm to patient).ORPerformance Not Met:11A79 All elements of maximal sterile barrier technique, hand hygiene, skin preparation, and if ultrasound is used, sterile ultrasound techniques not followed, reason not otherwise specified.

Numerator Exclusions

None

NQF ID Number

N/A

NQS Domain

Patient Safety

High Priority Measure

Yes

Includes Telehealth?

No

Inverse Measure

No

Proportional Measure

Yes

Continuous Variable Measure

No

Ratio Measure

No

Number of performance rates to be calculated and submitted

1

Risk-Adjusted Status?

No

Meaningful Measure

Healthcare-associated Infections

Measure Type

Process

Care Settings

Hospital


Tags

QCDR-EACCR-2021