Health professionals' lack of knowledge of central venous access devices: the impact on patients

Kelly, Linda J.; Snowden, Austyn; Paterson, Ruth; Campbell, Karen

Abstract

Background
The literature on patient experience of living with a central venous access device (CVAD) is growing, but remains sparse. It suggests that patients accept CVADs as should reduce episodes of repeated cannulations. However, a recent doctoral study found the reality did not live up to the hope.

Aim
The aim of this study was to uncover the global, cross-disease experience of patients with CVADs.

Methods
An online survey was sent to an international sample of people living with CVADs.

Findings
Seventy-four people from eight countries responded. Respondents corroborated the PhD findings: painful cannulation attempts continued after CVAD insertion due to lack of clinical knowledge. Participants lost trust in clinicians and feared complications due to poor practice.

Conclusion
Clinicians often lack the necessary skills to care and maintain CVADs. This leads to a negative patient experience.

Citation

Kelly, L. J., Snowden, A., Paterson, R., & Campbell, K. (2019). Health professionals' lack of knowledge of central venous access devices: the impact on patients. British Journal of Nursing, 28(14), https://doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2019.28.14.S4

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 8, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Jul 26, 2019
• Publication Date: Jul 25, 2019
• Deposit Date: Jul 15, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 15, 2019
• Print ISSN: 0966-0461
• Publisher: Mark Allen Healthcare
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 28
• Issue: 14
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2019.28.14.S4
• Keywords: Vascular access devices; Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters; Tunnelled Central Venous Catheters; Totally Implanted Central Venous Access Devices; Patient experience; Competence
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/1944042