Care of Centrally Placed Vascular Access Devices in Adults

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Written by Haematology Nurse Specialist

In the past central venous access devices (CVAD’s) were used almost exclusively in specialist areas such as Critical Care and Oncology. However with the new catheter designs, simpler and safer insertion techniques CVAD’s are now used widely in the acute hospital setting.

Bloodstream infections associated with the insertion and maintenance of CVAD’s are among the most dangerous complications of healthcare that can occur, worsening the severity of the patients underlying ill health, prolonging the period of hospitalisation and increasing the cost of care. Every year almost 6,000 patients in the UK acquire a catheter related bloodstream infection (CR-BSI) (Pratt et al 2007).

This policy has been written to support registered nurses, that have completed their intravenous drug administration competency, and who may have to care for patients with a central venous access device (CVAD) insitu.

Attachments:
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CVAD Policy.pdf	284 Kb

Last Updated ( Friday, 16 December 2011 09:54 )

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