OBJECTIVE To explore the application effectiveness of risk assessment in the prevention and control of device-related infection risks and identify high-risk links thereby formulate targeted measures to reduce risks.

METHODS In Jan. 2023, the failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) method was applied to conduct a risk assessment of device-related infection risk factors in the Intensive Care Unit of Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology. Risk identification, analysis and evaluation were performed on each risk indicator from three dimensions: the likelihood of risk occurrence, the severity of consequences and the integrity of the current management system.

RESULTS The risk assessment results revealed that the following aspects were high-risk factors: healthcare workers′ lack of knowledge in preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia, failure to conduct daily assessments of ventilator and tracheal intubation indications, insufficient elevation of the bedhead for ventilator patients (less than 30°-45°), delayed clearance of subglottic secretions for ventilator patients, healthcare workers′ lack of knowledge in preventing catheter-related bloodstream infections, failure to conduct daily assessments of central venous catheter removal indications, lack of maximum sterile barrier during central venous catheterization, healthcare workers′ lack of knowledge in preventing catheter-associated urinary tract infections and failure to conduct daily assessments of catheter removal indications. After one year of continuous intervention, all high-risk factors were improved to varying degrees, and the incidence rates of both hospital-associated infections (from 9.18% to 6.19%) and device-related infections significantly decreased.

CONCLUSIONS As a prospective risk assessment method, the FMEA method can specifically screen out risk factors for device-related infections, providing a theoretical basis for precise prevention and control.