Every year, approximately 200,000 Australians will have an arterial catheter (AC) inserted in order for clinicians to gain a more comprehensive understanding of haemodynamic stability through ongoing blood pressure monitoring, access for phlebotomy sampling, and painless blood gas sampling1. Seen most commonly in the intensive care unit and operating theatre, these peripheral catheters are associated with significantly increased risks when compared to peripheral venous devices and as such mus...

Vascular access devices are lifelines for patients with cancer for the administration of prescribed therapies and supportive care. Evidence-based management is key in the prevention of vascular access complications and premature removal. The revised Cancer Nurses Society of Australia (CNSA) Vascular Access Devices: Evidence Based Clinical Practice Guidelines detail the latest evidence and recommendations for patients with cancer with peripheral intravenous cannulas and central venous ac...

Aseptic non-touch technique (ANTT®) Aseptic non-touch technique (ANTT®), a framework developed by Rowley in the 1990's, focuses on the identification and prevention of microbial contamination of aseptic parts or sites during clinical procedures. ANTT® ensures aseptic parts or sites are not touched - either directly or indirectly, ensuring sterility during procedures that can cause significant patient harm if performed incorrectly1. Since its conception, ANTT® has bee...

What is an umbilical catheter? Umbilical catheterisation is a procedure performed by highly skilled neonatal clinicians shorty after birth in premature or critically unwell neonates1. The procedure allows for central venous and arterial access, enabling administration of medications and fluids, painless blood drawing, and continuous blood pressure monitoring2,3. Umbilical venous catheters are inserted through the umbilical vein and travel through the ductus venosus, through to the inferior ...

The insertion of a vascular access device (VAD) is one of the most common invasive procedures performed in the hospital setting, however a number of factors across adult and paediatric populations including age, weight extremes, comorbidities, previous difficult intravenous access, and site selection for current VAD can significantly impact overall insertion success and maintenance of a device.1,2   Dedicated vascular access teams are made up of competent clinicians trained to maxi...

Introduced in the 1990s, needleless connectors have become an essential component of 21st century medical care, as they have removed the inherent needle stick injury risk associated with older needle-based connectors.1 Used on both central and peripheral vascular access devices, they allow for the safer administration of medication, fluid and blood.2 However, needleless connectors carry a significantly increased risk of bloodstream infection. If the injection site has not been properly ...

Central venous access devices (CVADs) are an essential component of contemporary medical care, allowing for incompatible medications to be administered simultaneously and reduce the need for peripheral vascular access, particularly for critically ill or oncology patients.1 However, CVADs can entail significant risk. Bloodstream infection is the most detrimental consequence of inadequate CVAD management, presenting a significant burden to the patient, staff and economy of a hospital, especial...

Peripheral intravenous cannulation (PIVC) is commonplace in the neonatal setting, particularly in premature and critically unwell neonates who are unable to regulate homeostatic balance.1 Cannulation of a neonate can be difficult, given the significantly smaller venous anatomy and compromised skin integrity which can lead to localised toxicity and inflammation.2 Failure rates can be high, with 95% of PIVCs being removed due to complications including occlusion, leaking and extravasation inju...

Of the 11 million Australians accessing care in a hospital each year, an estimated 7.7 million will receive a peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC), also called a cannula, meaning this procedure is commonplace, particularly in the emergency department.(1) Although this is such a common procedure, first-attempt failure rates are high, with an estimated 40% failure rate in adults and 65% in the paediatric population.(1) All clinicians who are cannulation competent must be abl...