Author: Jennifer TeerlinkPublisher:
ISBN:
Category : Intravenous catheterization
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
Lack of standardization in vascular access device management policies can increase nursing care variability, increasing catheter occlusion rates. Catheter occlusions can delay treatments and may increase the risk of further complications for patients, increasing costs. Purpose: This quality improvement project aimed to standardize a hospital systems vascular access device policy and nurse-driven flushing and maintenance protocol. Methodology: A routine audit of an electronic policy system identified over 50 vascular access device care and management policies in 11 hospitals. These policies included outdated procedural steps rather than directing nurses to one evidence-based clinical practice guideline when performing clinical skills. One policy was developed following evidence-based clinical practice guidelines, and all hospitals were asked to retire their existing policies to follow a standardized approach. Results: Each of the 11 hospitals adopted a standardized policy. Survey results of nurses indicated (n = 189) an educational gap in the awareness and use of one evidence-based clinical practice guideline when performing vascular access device care and maintenance, which may have led to increased occlusions. After the policy intervention, the doses of alteplase used for occluded catheters decreased. Implications for Practice: Standardizing policy and directing nurses to one evidence-based clinical practice guideline reduces nursing practice variability and decreases catheter occlusion rates. Nurse education is crucial to change practice and direct nurses to their correct resources when performing nursing skills.
