Introduction
In the pursuit of enhancing patient safety and clinical decision-making, the I-DECIDED® tool has been translated and adapted to the Portuguese and Brazilian context. This blog post summarizes the meticulous process and promising outcomes of this significant methodological research. Methodology
The research followed Beaton’s framework for translation and cross-cultural adaptation, which includes five stages: Initial translation
Synthesis of translations
Back-translatio...

Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control invites researchers and healthcare professionals to submit their work to our latest collection on Safe Intravascular Catheters: Finding and Preventing Bloodstream Infections. Intravascular catheters are critical to modern healthcare, yet their use carries a significant risk of bloodstream infections. This collection aims to compile comprehensive research and insights on ensuring the safe use of these essential devices. Your contributions are v...

Central venous catheters (CVCs) are indispensable in healthcare, but they also present a spectrum of potential complications. With the rapid influx of securement and dressing products over the past decade, assessing their overall effectiveness in preventing these complications has become paramount. A recent systematic review with meta-analysis aimed to compare the effects of various dressings and securement devices for CVCs, shedding light on critical considerations for clinicians. Study Ove...

Children with chronic and complex health conditions often rely on intravenous devices for their medical needs. However, the current approach to device selection, insertion, and monitoring can be inconsistent, leading to challenges for both healthcare providers and families. Recognizing the need for a more streamlined and patient-centric solution, a team of healthcare professionals embarked on a journey to co-create and evaluate a groundbreaking mobile health (mHealth) application: IV Passport...

Arterial catheters (ACs) are vital tools for monitoring hemodynamics and blood sampling in intensive care units (ICUs). However, they are also prone to complications. A recent secondary analysis of a multi-center randomized controlled trial delved into the incidence, risk factors, and types of AC failures, shedding light on critical aspects of ICU patient care. Study Overview The study analyzed data from 664 adult ICU patients with ACs, focusing on all-cause device failure as the primary ou...

Central venous access devices (CVADs) are lifelines in healthcare, especially in pediatric cancer care. However, concerns persist about the high incidence of CVAD occlusions disrupting treatments. A recent qualitative study delved into the decision-making and problem-solving processes surrounding CVAD occlusion management in this critical setting. Study Overview Researchers conducted individual semi-structured interviews with 13 clinicians and 5 parents at a tertiary-referral pediatric faci...

Introduction As the global incidence of cancer continues to rise, the need for effective intravenous therapy and diagnostics in cancer patients becomes increasingly significant. Vascular access devices (VADs) play a crucial role in delivering systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT), but the choice of VAD type and its impact on patient outcomes remain areas of exploration. Objective Our objective was to conduct a comprehensive scoping review to understand the landscape of VAD usage in deliverin...

Introduction Peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) are vital for delivering essential treatments to children in healthcare settings. However, the frequent failure of these devices can lead to complications and impact patient outcomes. A recent randomized clinical trial explored novel PIVC securement technologies aimed at reducing catheter failure in pediatric patients. Study Overview The study, conducted from February 5, 2020, to January 14, 2022, at two regional Australian hospitals, f...

Introduction Central venous access devices (CVADs) are vital for delivering treatment to adult cancer patients. However, concerns about CVAD-associated skin complications have prompted a closer examination of this issue. Objective The study aimed to identify the prevalence and types of CVAD-associated skin complications, describe CVAD management practices, and pinpoint clinical and demographic characteristics associated with the risk of these complications. Methodology A prospective coho...

Accessing veins for medical procedures can be tricky, especially for patients with tough veins. Using ultrasound to guide the insertion of intravenous catheters is recommended in such cases. However, traditional ultrasound machines are often bulky, expensive, and only found in specialized departments, creating a challenge for wider adoption. That's where compact, affordable handheld ultrasound devices could play a role in revolutionising vascular access at the bedside. A recent review lo...