Central venous catheter is a device used by medical professionals for infusion therapy. Infusion therapy refers to a broad range of procedures and techniques that clinicians use to deliver fluids and parental treatment of the sick. In the arterial and intravenous therapy, fluids and medications infused into the vascular system using CVL. Clinicians and patients have exposed themselves to risks since the healthcare instituted the use of intra-venous therapy to treat the sick in intensive care unit (Concannon et al., 2014). The most dangerous are exposure to possible bloodbome pathogens, needle stick injuries and CRI or bacteria.
Although the emergence of CVC has brought so much positive changes at the hospital in terms of treatment, it also has challenges or problems when used by inexperienced nurses. Martinho et al., (2013), noted “the negative challenges include catheter-related bloodstream infection at the site of insertion thus, exposure to microorganisms that cause the infection”. Catheter operators must observe and follow the guidelines and procedures in order to reduce infection. There are several types of catheter used depending on the site of insertion. Educating and training of new RNs will help in reducing the infection because they will get to know and understand how to perform catheterization at the ICU.
According to research and studies, femoral or jugular catheter insertion has posed a high risk of infections compared to subclavian insertion (Lorente et al., 2011). Therefore, it is advisable for nurses to use the later placement site. Experienced doctors should be in charge of new RNs who are still under supervision as they perform catheterization to prevent or reduce the risks of catheter infection. Personal etiquette and proper clothing worn while the inserting catheter will also assist in the prevention. Before performing CVL insertion for the patient, healthcare givers must ensure that they have all the required tools and equipment (CVL kit) as detailed on the power point slides.
Reference:
Concannon, C., van Wijngaarden, E., Stevens, V., & Dumyati, G. (2014). The effect of multiple concurrent central venous catheters on central line-associated bloodstream infections. Infection Control And Hospital Epidemiology: The Official Journal Of The Society Of Hospital Epidemiologists Of America,35(9), 1140-1146. doi:10.1086/677634
Lorente, L., Jiménez, A., Martín, M. M., Palmero, S., Jiménez, J. J., & Mora, M. L. (2011). Lower incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infection in subclavian venous access in the presence of tracheostomy than in femoral venous access: prospective observational study. Clinical Microbiology And Infection: The Official Publication Of The European Society Of Clinical Microbiology And Infectious Diseases, 17(6), 870-872. doi:10.1111/j.1469-0691.2010.03406.x
Ma, A., Shroff, R., Hothi, D., Lopez, M., Veligratli, F., Calder, F., & Rees, L. (2013). A comparison of arteriovenous fistulas and central venous lines for long-term chronic haemodialysis. Pediatric Nephrology, 28(2), 321-326.doi:10.1007/s00467-012-2318-2
Martinho, G. H., Romanelli, R. C., Teixeira, G. M., Macedo, A. V., Chaia, J. C., & Nobre, V. (2013). Infectious complications associated with the use of central venous catheters in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. American Journal Of Infection Control, 41(7), 642-644. doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2012.10.005
Wagner, M., Bonhoeffer, J., Erb, T. O., Glanzmann, R., Häcker, F. M., Paulussen, M., & Heininger, U. (2011). Prospective study on central venous line associated bloodstream infections. Archives Of Disease In Childhood, 96(9), 827-831. doi:10.1136/adc.2010.208595
