Central venous catheter safety
Abstract:
Central venous catheters (CVCs) are widely used in US critical care settings, providing essential functions such as medication administration, hemodynamic monitoring, and reliable venous access. Despite the benefits of CVCs, complications, particularly infections, have become a major focus of US hospital quality improvement efforts due to federal and state initiatives that emphasize patient safety, transparency, and accountability. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services mandate reporting hospital-acquired infections through the Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting Program, which significantly affects hospital operations nationwide. The program specifically targets certain hospital-acquired infections, such as central line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs), and can result in financial penalties for hospitals with elevated rates. Additionally, complications that are not solely related to CVC use, such as iatrogenic pneumothorax and deep venous thrombosis, are included in the quality metrics that hospitals must report.
Reference:
Saade EA, Lytle FT, Pronovost PJ. Enhancing Quality and Safety in Critical Care-Challenges and Strategies for Central Venous Catheters. JAMA Intern Med. 2024 Mar 4. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2023.8243. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38436978.