Wanganui Hospital's critical care unit has passed a significant milestone - nearly three years without bacteria contaminating lines into patients.
A prevention programme, including rigorous hygiene, has seen central lines, picc lines and portocaths being free for 1030 days of bacteria that can cause life-threatening blood infections.
The protocols keeping the lines bacteria-free include patients being encouraged to ask staff if they have washed their hands before touching a line.
Whanganui District Health Board critical care unit clinical nurse co-ordinator Jo Vigenser says while Wanganui Hospital has fewer people requiring these types of lines than other hospitals, to reach 1030 days with no incidents is significant for any hospital and the staff involved.
"When you consider that some patients requiring long-term medications or liquid food have a line inserted in their arm, neck or chest for many weeks, it says a great deal about the professionalism of our clinical staff that no bacteria has entered these lines for close to three years," Mrs Vigenser said.
Stringent safety measures started from when the line was inserted in a patient and a checklist was followed including hand-washing and keeping everything sterile - including staff clothing.
"Scrub the hub" is the mantra staff use to remind themselves to clean the line thoroughly. The CLAB (central line associated bacteria) prevention programme is being run by every critical care unit in the country.