Management of candidaemia with reference to the ECMM quality indicators
The European Confederation of Medical Mycology (ECMM) has recently proposed the ECMM Quality of Clinical Candidemia Management (EQUAL) scoring criteria which provide an objective measure of adherence to various good practice recommendations” Nemer et al (2019). Abstract: BACKGROUND: Candidaemia is associated with high mortality. The European Confederation of Medical Mycology (ECMM) has recently proposed the […]
Usefulness of fenestrated intravenous catheters for coronary CT angiography
We suggest that fenestrated IV catheter is useful in terms of higher vascular attenuation and lower injection pressure for coronary computed tomography angiography” Kim et al (2019). Abstract: PURPOSE: To compare the fenestrated intravenous (IV) catheter and nonfenestrated conventional IV catheter in terms of contrast enhancement and injection pressure for coronary computed tomography angiography. METHODS: […]
Prescribing intravenous fluid therapy in acutely ill patients
Prescribing intravenous fluids is a complex process involving a decision on the type, composition, dose, rate and possible toxicity of the particular solution” Matějovič et al (2019). Abstract: Intravenous fluid therapy is the most frequent therapeutic intervention in acutely hospitalized patients. They are administered in order to resuscitate the circulation in hypovolemia-associated shock states, to […]
Vertebral artery injury following misplaced internal jugular vein catheter withdrawal
The following is an unusual case of delayed presentation of a right vertebral artery injury due to central venous cannulation which resulted in a posterior circulation stroke” Pau and Aini (2019). Abstract: Central venous cannulation is a common procedure done for various medical indications. The use of the central venous cannula is associated with various […]
Training family members in home parenteral nutrition care
To report the experience of the training in home parenteral nutrition (PN) directed to family members of children and adolescents participating in a multidisciplinary intestinal rehabilitation program of a tertiary public hospital” Witkowski et al (2019). Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To report the experience of the training in home parenteral nutrition (PN) directed to family members of […]
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus meningitis after needlestick injury
We report of a case of LCMV meningitis in a laboratory worker who sustained a penetrating needlestick injury with a LCMV-contaminated hollow needle whilst disposing of a used syringe into the sharps waste bin” Dräger et al (2019). Abstract: Background: Needlestick accidents while handling of infectious material in research laboratories can lead to life-threatening infections […]
Patient-reported outcome measures in vascular access
The aims of this review article are to explore the concepts of quality of care in vascular access” Field et al (2019). Abstract: Quality improvement initiatives should be aimed to enhance clinical outcomes, service delivery and quality of life for patients. For patients reliant on haemodialysis, vascular access is a lifeline. Survival differences relating to […]
Factors associated with successful completion of OPAT
Outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT) is an established antimicrobial delivery method in the United Kingdom. OPAT services differ nationwide with a paucity of high-quality outcome data to enable benchmarking. We studied clinical outcomes and adverse events of patients identifying factors associated with success and failure” Hatcher et al (2019). Abstract: OBJECTIVES: Outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy […]
Educational value of internet videos in vascular access
The aim of the study was to evaluate individually uploaded Internet materials about catheter insertion and removal in terms of their educative value” Sevinc (20190. Abstract: AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate individually uploaded Internet materials about catheter insertion and removal in terms of their educative value. METHODS: YouTube videos for both […]
Ultrasound-guided cannulation of the right internal jugular vein in infants
The aim of this study was to share our observations pertaining to the anatomy and position of the right internal jugular vein with respect to carotid artery using ultrasound and our experience with ultrasound-guided right internal jugular vein access in neonates and small infants” Uzumcugil et al (2019). Abstract: BACKGROUND: The commonly preferred right internal […]
Malposition of hemodialysis catheter into the hepatic veins
Here we present a 44 year old female hemodialysis patient with a malpositioned permanent hemodialysis catheter, catheter tip was found in hepatic vein after three months of insertion” Yucel and Gumusel et al (2019). Abstract: Permanent central vein catheter for hemodialysis is a choice for hemodialysis vascular access. Permanent dialysis catheters may be inserted through […]
Choosing an implantable port or PICC for patients with breast cancer
Our aim was to compare the applications of totally implanted vascular access devices (TIVAD) and peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) in breast cancer patients” Tang et al (2019). Abstract: BACKGROUND: Our aim was to compare the applications of totally implanted vascular access devices (TIVAD) and peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) in breast cancer patients. METHODS: […]
Use of hair nets and face masks to decrease blood culture contamination rates
Overall, the mean contamination rate progressively declined in a stepwise manner from 3.2% to 1.2% (P = .0013), with the greatest decline after adding hair nets and face masks” Sanders et al (2019). Abstract: Owing to a persistently high blood culture contamination rate of 3.2% exceeding the target rate of
Home parenteral nutrition in pediatric patients with intestinal insufficiency
The prevalence of patients with long-term PN and their clinical characteristics were identified. No differences were found to support the administration of this treatment in the hospital over the home” Zapata Olivares et al (2019). Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) has been shown to offer important benefits for patients and the health system. In […]
Method of long-term central venous catheterization in pigs for research
This method of catheterization and catheter care allows the realization of long-term experiments with comfortable and stress-free blood sampling” Klein et al 92019). Abstract: INTRODUCTION: The pig is one of the most valuable in vivo models in biomedical research, however with only a few well-accessible veins suitable for venipuncture. Moreover, most of the known methods […]
Remifentanil for procedural sedation during central venous catheter insertion
We compared target controlled infusion of remifentanil and local lidocaine infiltration to placebo and local lidocaine infiltration to decrease pain scores during central venous catheter placement” Vardon Bounes et al (2019). Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Central venous catheter insertion is a common practice for anesthetists, but this invasive procedure generates anxiety and pain in patients that are […]
Development of quality indicators for OPAT care
The aim of this study was to develop quality indicators (QIs) for OPAT care that can be used as metrics for quality assessment and improvement” Berrevoets et al (2019). Abstract: BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to develop quality indicators (QIs) for OPAT care that can be used as metrics for quality assessment and […]
Infusion pump use for hematopoietic stem cell products
Syringe and intravenous infusion pumps are not commonly used to deliver hematopoietic stem cell products (HPCs) due to a paradigm of thought that suggests that the pressure from the pump might damage the HPCs” Kissoon et al (2019). Abstract: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation using progenitor cells is a potentially curative treatment option for patients with […]
Clinical risk factors for the development of candidemia in home parenteral nutrition
The aim of this study was to investigate the relevance of the reported SNPs in patients receiving HPN, and to explore clinical risk factors associated with candidemia” Wouters et al (2019). Abstract: BACKGROUND: Patients receiving home parenteral nutrition (HPN) have an increased risk for central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs), including candidemia. Recently, 7 single-nucleotide polymorphisms […]
IV maintenance fluid tonicity and composition influence plasma electrolyte balance
We examined post-surgical hyponatremia, hypokalemia and acute kidney injury (AKI), associated with use of either IMF” Winata et al (2019). Abstract: BACKGROUND: Intravenous maintenance fluid (IMF) tonicity and composition influence plasma electrolyte balance. OBJECTIVE: To determine if hypotonic IMF therapy contributes to post-surgical hyponatremia. SETTING: Single-center tertiary institution. PARTICIPANTS: Adults who underwent major surgery and […]
Assessing sagittal rotation on posteroanterior chest radiographs
The routine application of the distance between the medial end of the clavicles and a line drawn through the spinous processes at the level of the clavicles as a method of assessing degree of sagittal rotation, diagnostic image quality, and need for repeat is flawed” Hardy et al (2015). Abstract: BACKGROUND: Chest radiography is one […]
Dalbavancin use in vulnerable patients receiving OPAT
Importantly, dalbavancin’s real benefits may be in treating complicated infections in vulnerable patient populations, such as persons who inject drugs” Bork et al (2019). Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Dalbavancin is approved for acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSIs) but offers a potential treatment option for complicated invasive gram-positive infections. Importantly, dalbavancin’s real benefits may be […]
Role of the aortic valve in defining the superior vena cava-right atrium junction
The aortic valve (AV) has been used as a surrogate marker for the superior vena cava-right atrium (SVC-RA) junction during the placement of central venous catheters” Hinton et al (2019). Abstract: INTRODUCTION: The aortic valve (AV) has been used as a surrogate marker for the superior vena cava-right atrium (SVC-RA) junction during the placement of […]
Outcomes of extended infusion of peripheral parental nutrition containing amino acids
In some Japanese hospitals, patients using infusion bags for parenteral nutrition containing amino acids have developed Bacillus cereus bloodstream infections” Shiota et al (2019). Abstract: In some Japanese hospitals, patients using infusion bags for parenteral nutrition containing amino acids have developed Bacillus cereus bloodstream infections. We considered that proliferation of contaminated B cereus in the […]
Improving efficiency of financial authorization by establishing a standard infusion workflow
UC Health, an academic health system, is focused on improving the management of infusion therapies for its patients” Boesken et al (2019). Extract: UC Health, an academic health system, is focused on improving the management of infusion therapies for its patients. Upon learning of a new diagnosis, patients can feel scared, confused, and overwhelmed. They […]
Hazard analysis of class I recalls related to infusion pumps
This study aimed to establish a hazard classification framework of medical devices and to apply it over practical adverse event data on infusion pumps” Gao et al (2019). Abstract: BACKGROUND: The adverse event report of medical devices is one of the postmarket surveillance tools used by regulators to monitor device performance, detect potential device-related safety […]
Prothrombin complex concentrate administration via intraosseous access
In patients lacking IV access, effective PCC administration becomes problematic. No previous case reports have documented PCC infusion via intraosseous (IO) or alternative routes in this setting” Peyko et al 92019). Abstract: BACKGROUND: Vitamin K antagonist (VKA) reversal in patients with acute major bleeding and coagulopathy is an example of an urgent intervention in the […]
Embolized guidewire into central aorta following central venous catheterization
During an attempt to insert a central line into the right subclavian vein at bedside, the guidewire inadvertently entered the subclavian artery and embolized distally” Nath et al (2019). Abstract: A 4-month-old preterm, critically ill infant weighing 3.8 kg was admitted to our pediatric intensive care unit with congestive cardiac failure due to a large ventricular […]
Patient with bilateral ectopic subclavian vein catheterization
This case suggests that clinical physician should be careful to prevent catheter heterotopia in subclavian vein catheterization, and postoperative routine chest X-ray examination is necessary to identify position of the catheter” Huang et al (2019). Abstract: One female patient aged 18 years, with severe burns and inhalation injury was admitted to our unit on June […]
Staphylococcus aureus colonization in hemodialysis patients
We prospectively followed a cohort of 86 hemodialysis patients from an outpatient dialysis center over 25 months analyzing S. aureus carrier status, S. aureus infection rates and mortality” Scheuch et al (2019). Abstract: BACKGROUND: Dialysis patients are frequently exposed to Staphylococcus aureus due to stays in dialysis centers, hospitals or rest homes. The hemodialysis vascular access […]