Fredrik Hammarskjöld

Clinical guidelines on central venous catheterisation

Safe and reliable venous access is mandatory in modern health care, but central venous catheters (CVCs) are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, This paper describes current Swedish guidelines for clinical management of CVCs The guidelines supply updated recommendations that may be useful in other countries as well. Literature retrieval in the Cochrane and Pubmed databases, of papers written in English or Swedish and pertaining to CVC management, was done by members of a task force of the Swedish Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine. Consensus meetings were held throughout the review process to allow all parts of the guidelines to be embraced by all contributors. All of the content was carefully scored according to criteria by the Oxford Centre for Evidence‐Based Medicine. We aimed at producing useful and reliable guidelines on bleeding diathesis, vascular approach, ultrasonic guidance, catheter tip positioning, prevention and management of associated trauma and infection, and specific training and follow‐up. A structured patient history focused on bleeding should be taken prior to insertion of a CVCs. The right internal jugular vein should primarily be chosen for insertion of a wide‐bore CVC. Catheter tip positioning in the right atrium or lower third of the superior caval vein should be verified for long‐term use. Ultrasonic guidance should be used for catheterisation by the internal jugular or femoral veins and may also be used for insertion via the subclavian veins or the veins of the upper limb. The operator inserting a CVC should wear cap, mask, and sterile gown and gloves. For long‐term intravenous access, tunnelled CVC or subcutaneous venous ports are preferred. Intravenous position of the catheter tip should be verified by clinical or radiological methods after insertion and before each use. Simulator‐assisted training of CVC insertion should precede bedside training in patients. Units inserting and managing CVC should have quality assertion programmes for implementation and follow‐up of routines, teaching, training and clinical outcome. Clinical guidelines on a wide range of relevant topics have been introduced, based on extensive literature retrieval, to facilitate effective and safe management of CVCs.

Advantages and disadvantages of peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICC) compared to other central venous lines: A systematic review of the literature

Abstract Background. The use of central venous lines carries a significant risk for serious complications and high economic costs. Lately, the peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PICC) has gained in popularity due to presumed advantages over other central venous lines. The aim of this systematic literature review was to identify scientific evidence justifying the use of PICC. Material and methods. The literature review was performed according to the principles of Cochrane Collaboration. The electronic literature search included common databases up to March 2011. Only those studies rated as high or moderate quality were used for grading of evidence and conclusions. Results. The search resulted in 827 abstracts, 48 articles were read in full text, and 11 met the inclusion criteria. None of the articles was classified as high quality and two had moderate quality. The results of these two studies indicate that PICC increases the risk for deep venous thrombosis (DVT), but decreases the risk for catheter occlusion. The quality of scientific evidence behind these conclusions, however, was limited. Due to the lack of studies with sufficiently high quality, questions such as early complications, patient satisfaction and costs could not be answered. Discussion. We conclude that although PICCs are frequently used in oncology, scientific evidence supporting any advantage or disadvantage of PICC when comparing PICC with traditional central venous lines is limited, apart from a tendency towards increased risk for DVT and a decreased risk for catheter occlusion with PICC.

Central venous catheter infections at a county hospital in Sweden: a prospective analysis of colonization, incidence of infection and risk factors.

Background:  Catheter‐related infection (CRI) is one of the most serious complications of the use of central venous catheters (CVCs), with an incidence of 2–30/1000 days in different studies. No major prospective study has evaluated the rate of CRI in Scandinavia. Since 1999, we have had a thorough programme for the insertion and care of all CVCs used at our hospital and its outpatient clinics. The purpose of this survey was to study the incidence of catheter tip colonization and CRI and their risk factors, and to compare these data with previous non‐Scandinavian studies.

Clinical guidelines on central venous catheterisation. Swedish Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine.

Safe and reliable venous access is mandatory in modern health care, but central venous catheters (CVCs) are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, This paper describes current Swedish guidelines for clinical management of CVCs The guidelines supply updated recommendations that may be useful in other countries as well. Literature retrieval in the Cochrane and Pubmed databases, of papers written in English or Swedish and pertaining to CVC management, was done by members of a task force of the Swedish Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine. Consensus meetings were held throughout the review process to allow all parts of the guidelines to be embraced by all contributors. All of the content was carefully scored according to criteria by the Oxford Centre for Evidence‐Based Medicine. We aimed at producing useful and reliable guidelines on bleeding diathesis, vascular approach, ultrasonic guidance, catheter tip positioning, prevention and management of associated trauma and infection, and specific training and follow‐up. A structured patient history focused on bleeding should be taken prior to insertion of a CVCs. The right internal jugular vein should primarily be chosen for insertion of a wide‐bore CVC. Catheter tip positioning in the right atrium or lower third of the superior caval vein should be verified for long‐term use. Ultrasonic guidance should be used for catheterisation by the internal jugular or femoral veins and may also be used for insertion via the subclavian veins or the veins of the upper limb. The operator inserting a CVC should wear cap, mask, and sterile gown and gloves. For long‐term intravenous access, tunnelled CVC or subcutaneous venous ports are preferred. Intravenous position of the catheter tip should be verified by clinical or radiological methods after insertion and before each use. Simulator‐assisted training of CVC insertion should precede bedside training in patients. Units inserting and managing CVC should have quality assertion programmes for implementation and follow‐up of routines, teaching, training and clinical outcome. Clinical guidelines on a wide range of relevant topics have been introduced, based on extensive literature retrieval, to facilitate effective and safe management of CVCs.

Sustained low incidence of central venous catheter-related infections over six years in a Swedish hospital with an active central venous catheter team

BACKGROUND There are limited data on the long-term effects of implementing a central venous catheter (CVC) program for prevention of CVC infections. The aims of this study were to evaluate the incidence of CVC colonization, catheter-related infections (CRI), catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI), and their risk factors over a 6-year period in a hospital with an active CVC team. METHODS We conducted a continuous prospective study aiming to include all CVCs used at our hospital during the years 2004 to 2009, evaluating colonization, CRI, CRBSI, and possible risk factors. RESULTS A total of 2,772 CVCs was used during the study period. Data on culture results and catheterization time were available for 2,045 CVCs used in 1,674 patients. The incidences of colonization, CRI, and CRBSI were 7.0, 2.2, and 0.6 per 1,000 CVC-days, respectively. Analysis of quarterly incidences revealed 1 occasion with increasing infection rates. Catheterization time was a risk factor for CRI but not for CRBSI. Other risk factors for CRI were hemodialysis and CVC use in the internal jugular vein compared with the subclavian vein. Hemodialysis was the only risk factor for CRBSI. CONCLUSION We found that a CRI prevention program led by an active CVC team and adhered to by the entire staff at a county hospital is successful in keeping CVC infections at a low rate over a long period of time.

Low incidence of arterial catheter infections in a Swedish intensive care unit: risk factors for colonisation and infection.

There is growing concern that arterial catheters (ACs) cause catheter-related infections (CRIs). Limited data are available concerning risk factors for AC-CRI and there are no studies concerning incidence and micro-organisms from northern Europe. The aims of this study were to determine the incidence of, and micro-organisms responsible for, AC colonisation and AC-CRI in a Swedish intensive care unit (ICU), and to determine risk factors contributing to AC colonisation and AC-CRI. We prospectively studied all patients (N=539) receiving ACs (N=691) in a mixed ICU of a county hospital. Six hundred (87%) of all ACs were assessed completely. The total catheterisation time for 482 patients was 2567 days. The incidence of positive tip culture was 7.8 per 1000 catheter-days, with the predominant micro-organism being coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS). The incidence of AC-CRI was 2.0 per 1000 catheter-days (with no cases of bacteraemia). All AC-CRIs were caused by CoNS. Multivariate analysis revealed that immunosuppression, central venous catheter (CVC) colonisation and CVC infection were significant risk factors for AC-CRI. We conclude that AC colonisation and infection with systemic symptoms occur at a low rate in our ICU which supports our practice of basic hygiene routines for the prevention of AC-CRI. Colonisation and infection of a simultaneous CVC seem to be risk factors. The role of contemporaneous colonisation and infection of multiple bloodstream catheters has received little attention previously. Further studies are needed to verify the significance of this finding.

A prospective observational study on 249 subcutaneous central vein access ports in a Swedish county hospital

Abstract Background. Reliable central vein access is a fundamental issue in modern advanced oncological care. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of complications and patient perception regarding central vein access ports. Methods. We prospectively studied 249 single lumen access ports implanted between 1 July 2008 and 15 March 2010 in a mixed patient population at a 500-bed secondary level hospital in Sweden. We determined the number of catheter days, infection rate and mechanical complications, as well as patient satisfaction regarding the access port, over a six-month follow-up period. Results. Two hundred and forty-four different patients received 249 ports yielding a total of 37 763 catheter days. Ultrasound and fluoroscopic guidance was used in 98% of procedures. Vein access was obtained percutanously by an anaesthesiologist in all cases. There was no case of pneumo- or haemothorax. The incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infection, was 0.05/1000 catheter days and the incidence of pocket/tunnel infection was 0.39/1000 catheter days. Clinically apparent deep vein thrombosis occurred in four patients (1.6%). Patient satisfaction was overall high. Conclusion. These results confirm that our team-based approach with written easily accessible evidence-based guidelines and a structured education programme leads to a very low complication rate and a high degree of patient satisfaction.

A survey of the current use of peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PICC) in Swedish oncology departments.

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Clinical guidelines on central venous catheterisation: Central venous catheterisation

Safe and reliable venous access is mandatory in modern health care, but central venous catheters (CVCs) are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, This paper describes current Swedish guidelines for clinical management of CVCs The guidelines supply updated recommendations that may be useful in other countries as well. Literature retrieval in the Cochrane and Pubmed databases, of papers written in English or Swedish and pertaining to CVC management, was done by members of a task force of the Swedish Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine. Consensus meetings were held throughout the review process to allow all parts of the guidelines to be embraced by all contributors. All of the content was carefully scored according to criteria by the Oxford Centre for Evidence‐Based Medicine. We aimed at producing useful and reliable guidelines on bleeding diathesis, vascular approach, ultrasonic guidance, catheter tip positioning, prevention and management of associated trauma and infection, and specific training and follow‐up. A structured patient history focused on bleeding should be taken prior to insertion of a CVCs. The right internal jugular vein should primarily be chosen for insertion of a wide‐bore CVC. Catheter tip positioning in the right atrium or lower third of the superior caval vein should be verified for long‐term use. Ultrasonic guidance should be used for catheterisation by the internal jugular or femoral veins and may also be used for insertion via the subclavian veins or the veins of the upper limb. The operator inserting a CVC should wear cap, mask, and sterile gown and gloves. For long‐term intravenous access, tunnelled CVC or subcutaneous venous ports are preferred. Intravenous position of the catheter tip should be verified by clinical or radiological methods after insertion and before each use. Simulator‐assisted training of CVC insertion should precede bedside training in patients. Units inserting and managing CVC should have quality assertion programmes for implementation and follow‐up of routines, teaching, training and clinical outcome. Clinical guidelines on a wide range of relevant topics have been introduced, based on extensive literature retrieval, to facilitate effective and safe management of CVCs.