Considering the cause of chronic inflammation in dialysis patients
One important aspect of cardiovascular risk among dialysis patients is chronic inflammation. Iatrogenic sources of chronic inflammation in the form of failed renal allografts, old clotted arteriovenous grafts, and hemodialysis catheters play important, sometimes, unrecognized roles in this inflammatory state” Achinger and Ayus (2018). Abstract: Cardiovascular mortality accounts for most deaths among hemodialysis patients and […]
Efficacy of lactated Ringer’s versus normal saline in shock
To compare the clinical efficacy of lactated Ringer’s (LR) and normal saline (NS) in treating patients with septic shock” Mao et al (2018). Abstract: Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy of lactated Ringer’s (LR) and normal saline (NS) in treating patients with septic shock. Methods: The clinical data of 198 patients with septic shock who […]
Blood-borne viral infections in pediatric hemodialysis
Here we review risk factors of blood-borne viral infections, strategies for prevention, and approach to therapy in the pediatric hemodialysis population” Menon and Munshi (2018). Abstract: Hemodialysis patients are at increased risk for development of blood-borne viral infections. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a once fatal infection, has become treatable, but continues to be associated with […]
Catheter and non-catheter-related upper extremity deep vein thrombosis in patients with cancer
Patients with cancer have an increased risk of venous thromboembolism. Upper extremity venous system is a peculiar site, and little is known about the clinical course in patients with cancer” Mansour et al (2018). Abstract: Patients with cancer have an increased risk of venous thromboembolism. Upper extremity venous system is a peculiar site, and little […]
Case study examines PICC safety in orthopedic patients
PICC is a safe intravenous device that can be successfully utilized for medium- and long-course intravenous therapy in hospitalized and discharged orthopedic patients” Santolim et al (2018). Abstract: OBJECTIVES: The advantages of using a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) in hospitalized patients make this device very important for intravenous therapy. This study describes the use […]
Hospital-acquired infections under pay-for-performance systems
The purpose of this review is to explore the impact of hospital-acquired infection on payment under pay-for-performance systems, and provide perspective on the role of administrators in infection prevention” Vokes et al (2018). Abstract PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to explore the impact of hospital-acquired infection on payment under pay-for-performance systems, […]
Effectiveness of heparin to prevent occlusion in central venous access devices
To evaluate the effectiveness of HS compared to PS to prevent occlusion in CVAD” Re et al (2018). Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Prevention of central venous access devices (CVAD) occlusion is crucial to the continuity and quality of care. There is wide consensus on the need to carry out a periodic flushing of the lumen of device […]
Standard long IV catheters versus extended dwell IV catheters
A longer extended dwell catheter represents a viable and favorable alternative to the standard longer IVs used for US-guided cannulation of veins >1.20 cm in depth” Bahl et al (2018). Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Establishing peripheral intravenous (IV) access is a vital step in providing emergency care. Ten to 30% of Emergency Department (ED) patients have difficult vascular […]
Intravenous catheter survival impacted by amount of catheter residing in the vein
The quantity of catheter residing in the vein is a key predictor of long-term functionality of US-guided IVs and is strongly associated with the hazard of failure within 72 hours” Pandurangadu et al (2018). Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Ultrasound (US)-guided peripheral IVs have a high failure rate. We explore the relationship between the quantity of catheter residing within […]
Test-enhanced learning for ultrasound-guided peripheral intravenous insertion
In this study of novice learners, both TEL with structured practice and structured practice alone lead to high success rates performing USG IV insertion on a simulated model” Slomer et al (2018). Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Teaching procedural skills in medicine is time- and resource-intensive, and it is therefore important to determine which educational strategies are most […]
Malfunction of a central venous multilumen access catheter caused by kinking
Nevertheless, ultrasonographic findings did not reveal the reason for the malfunction. We found kinking in the distal part of the catheter after removing it” Cho et al (2018). Abstract: RATIONALE: A multilumen access catheter (MAC) is a large-bore catheter that prevents kinking or collapsing. Misplacement is a frequently reported complication. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 59-year-old man […]
The role of private rooms for reducing central line-associated bloodstream infections
We sought to determine whether private rooms were associated with a lower risk of central-line infections” O’Neill et al (2018). Abstract: Private hospital rooms are believed to offer some protective effect against hospital-acquired infections, including central line-associated bloodstream infections. Yet a recent meta-analysis found the evidence-base to be lacking from a policy perspective. We sought […]
Arterial blood gas sampling using pre-heparinised safety syringe
This article provides an overview of this subject area. It includes case studies where the Pulsator Plus Arterial Blood Gas Syringe (Smiths Medical) was used to safely and effectively collect blood samples for analysis” Hill and Moore (2018). Abstract: Taking arterial blood gases (ABG) is an essential part of the diagnosis and management of critically […]
Quality improvement of emergency inserted peripheral intravenous catheters
A quality improvement project involving key stakeholder engagement, the roll out of a sticker to readily identify ambulance/emergency inserted PIVCs and education of ward staff was introduced to enable identification of this high-risk group” Ruegg et al (2018). Abstract: Vascular access devices are common and necessary in healthcare provision but their use poses a significant […]
Medical device classification in vascular access
This article aims to give a simple explanation of device classification as it relates to vascular access devices. It aims to provide the reader with information to increase their knowledge and understanding of this topic” Kelly and Jones (2018). Abstract: Developments in the medical device industry are driven by a rapidly changing healthcare arena in […]
Amount of drug discarded within administration sets post infusion
The aim of this study was to quantify frequency, volume and dose of drug discarded within administration sets in the clinical setting” Cooper et al (2018). Abstract: BACKGROUND: intravenous (IV) drugs are administered widely and under-dosing can result in therapy failure. The aim of this study was to quantify frequency, volume and dose of drug […]
Clinical practice guideline intramuscular injection
This article introduces a clinical practice guideline for safe and effective aspiration during IM injection, as a follow-up to the findings of that study” Mraz et al (2018). Abstract: The intramuscular (IM) injection has been part of nursing practice since the 1960s. Over the past 60 years, the practice of aspiration during IM injection has […]
The effect of oral hydration and localised heat on peripheral vein diameter and depth
To determine the effect of localised heat and oral hydration on vein diameter and depth” Sharp et al (2018). Abstract: BACKGROUND: Accessing the peripheral veins for blood sampling and short-term peripheral intravenous catheter insertion is common in contemporary healthcare. Clinicians may apply heat or promote oral hydration to increase vein diameter and reveal veins to […]
Ultrasound guidance increases the success rate of peripheral IV cannulation
Ultrasound guidance increases the success rate of peripheral i.v. cannulation, especially in patients with known or predicted difficult i.v. access” van Loon et al (2018). Abstract: BACKGROUND: Peripheral vein cannulation is a routine and straightforward invasive procedure, although i.v. access can be difficult to obtain. To increase the success rate of inserting an i.v. catheter, […]
Rate of CRBSI between tunneled central venous catheters and PICCs
There is no formal comparison being made to study the rate of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) between TCVCs and PICC in HPN to recommend the use of 1 over the other” Hon et al (2018). Abstract: BACKGROUND: Tunneled central venous catheters (TCVCs) and peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) are often used for the provision of […]
Unexpected complications during insertion of a central venous catheter
During insertion of the central venous catheter, there was difficulty in advancing the guidewire. Attempts were made to remove the guidewire through the introducer, but the guidewire would not thread out of the introducer” Tirumala et al (2018). Abstract: Introduction: Central venous catheters are essential and widely used in medical practice. Their use may be […]
Infection prevention bundles with low-cost and high level of evidence
This survey aimed to determine the status of infection prevention and control (IPC) bundle practice and the most frequent interventional variables in Low-Middle Income Countries (LMICs)” Alp et al (2018). Abstract: AIM: This survey aimed to determine the status of infection prevention and control (IPC) bundle practice and the most frequent interventional variables in Low-Middle […]
Health-Related Quality of Life in Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy
Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) has not been well characterized in the United States” Keller et al (2018). Abstract: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) has not been well characterized in the United States. In an OPAT cohort, the short-form-12’s median physical component score […]
Probe orientation for ultrasound-guided vascular access cannulation
Our goal was to conduct a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to compare the effects of the long-axis (LAX), short-axis (SAX), and oblique-axis (OAX) ultrasound guidance approaches for vascular access cannulation” Lv et al (2018). Abstract: BACKGROUND: Our goal was to conduct a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to compare the effects of […]
Incidence and outcomes of catheter related thrombosis (CRT) in patients with acute leukemia
Patients with acute leukemia frequently develop catheter-related thrombosis (CRT) despite concurrent thrombocytopenia. The incidence, treatment and outcomes of this complication are poorly documented. We undertook this study to determine the incidence of CRT in patients with acute leukemia and assess the safety and effectiveness of a treatment strategy using a platelet-adjusted low molecular weight heparin […]
Inadvertent traumatic fracture of central venous catheter
We report a traumatic inadvertent transection of central venous catheter that migrated through a donor transplanted liver and was found to be lodged in the recipient’s right ventricle. The catheter was retrieved under fluoroscopy using a trilobed snare device” Obaid et al (2018). Abstract: Central venous catheters play a pivotal role in the perioperative support […]
Patients with diabetes are at higher risk of recurrent catheter-related thrombosis
Fibrinolysis is one of the methods extending the use of vascular access in patients with tunneled venous catheters thrombosis. The aim of this study was to assess one-year maintenance of tunneled catheters patency after first effective thrombolysis with urokinase and identify its predictors” Wójtowicz et al (2018). Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Fibrinolysis is one of the methods […]
Guidelines ensure phlebotomy is a safe and patient-centered procedure
It offers guidance on the requirements for ensuring that blood collection is a safe and patient-centered procedure and provides practical guidance on how to successfully overcome potential barriers and obstacles to its widespread implementation” Simundic et al (2018). Abstract: This document provides a joint recommendation for venous blood sampling of the European Federation of Clinical […]
Lightly embalmed cadavers for simulation in US-guided procedures
As a feasible alternative, we describe the innovative use of a lightly embalmed cadaver for realistic practice of common interventional radiology (IR) procedures prior to direct patient care” Meek et al (2018). Abstract: RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Competency in ultrasound (US) imaging and US-guided procedures is often difficult for medical students and residents to master. The […]
In vitro study of 0.01% hypochlorous acid as an alternative skin antiseptic
Compare the in vitro efficacy of hypochlorous acid 0.01% (HA), povidone iodine 5% (PI), chlorhexidine gluconate 4% (CHG), and isopropyl alcohol 70% (IPA) against common skin microorganisms” Anagnostopoulos et al (2018). Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Compare the in vitro efficacy of hypochlorous acid 0.01% (HA), povidone iodine 5% (PI), chlorhexidine gluconate 4% (CHG), and isopropyl alcohol 70% […]