Development of quality indicators and data assessment strategies for the prevention of central venous catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI).

Background: The number of catheter related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) could be reduced and the outcome improved if specific standards in the quality of care were maintained. Therefore, the development of quality assurance (QA) procedures was commissioned to be included in the national mandatory QA programme in Germany.

Methods: Indicators representing quality deficiencies and potential for improvement of quality in relation to prevention and management of central venous catheters (CVC) were developed by (1) evidence-based literature searches and the compiling of an indicator register; (2) a multi-professional expert panel including patient representatives who selected indicators from this register by using a modified RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method; (3) defining methods for data assessment, risk adjustment and feedback of indicator results to service providers; and (4) consulting all relevant medical societies and other stakeholders with regard to the QA procedures that had been developed.

NAADP mobilizes calcium from the endoplasmic reticular Ca(2+) store in T-lymphocytes.

The target calcium store of nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP), the most potent endogenous calcium-mobilizing compound known to date, has been proposed to reside in the lysosomal compartment or in the endo/sarcoplasmic reticulum. This study was performed to test the hypothesis of a lysosomal versus an endoplasmic reticular calcium store sensitive to NAADP in T-lymphocytes. Pretreatment of intact Jurkat T cells with glycyl-phenylalanine 2-naphthylamide largely reduced staining of lysosomes by LysoTracker Red and abolished NAADP-induced Ca(2+) signaling.