Nurses’ Perceptions of Adherence to the Central Line Maintenance Bundle: Linkages to Thoughts, Emotions, and Behavior

Abstract

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control established the central line maintenance care bundle in 2011, yet nurses’ adherence to all seven components remains challenging. The specific aim of this study was to explore and understand intensive care nurses’ perceptions and beliefs regarding central line maintenance, bundle care elements, and associated adherence. This qualitative study used a phenomenological approach. Three main themes emerged as follows: (1) thoughts about the ability to adhere to the central line bundle created feelings about central line maintenance care, (2) feelings about the nurses’ ability to adhere to the central line bundle influenced behaviors, and (3) behaviors for central line bundle adherence reinforced thoughts. Each theme had several subthemes. Organizations must assess and mitigate the unique cognitive and behavioral factors that affect nurses’ adherence to the central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) maintenance bundle. In addition, nursing adherence requires knowledge of CLABSI rates and direct care nurse involvement in identifying solutions.