Injuries and Liability Related to Central Vascular Catheters

2004 ◽  
Vol 100 (6) ◽  
pp. 1411-1418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen B. Domino ◽  
T. Andrew Bowdle ◽  
Karen L. Posner ◽  
Pete H. Spitellie ◽  
Lorri A. Lee ◽  
...  

Background To assess changing patterns of injury and liability associated with central venous or pulmonary artery catheters, the authors analyzed closed malpractice claims for central catheter injuries in the American Society of Anesthesiologists Closed Claims database. Methods All claims for which a central catheter (i.e., central venous or pulmonary artery catheter) was the primary damaging event for the injury were compared with the rest of the claims in the database. Central catheter complications were defined as being related to vascular access or catheter use or maintenance. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test, Fisher exact test, or Z test (proportions) and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test (payments). Results The database included 110 claims for injuries related to central catheters (1.7% of 6,449 claims). Claims for central catheter injuries had a higher severity of injury, with an increased proportion of death (47%) compared with other claims in the database (29%, P < 0.01). The most common complications were wire/catheter embolus (n = 20), cardiac tamponade (n = 16), carotid artery puncture/cannulation (n =16), hemothorax (n =15), and pneumothorax (n =14). Cardiac tamponade, hemothorax, and pulmonary artery rupture had a higher proportion of death (P < 0.05) compared with the rest of the central catheter injures. The proportion of claims for vascular access injury increased (47% to 84%) and use/maintenance injury decreased (53% to 16%) in 1994-1999 compared with 1978-1983 (P < 0.05). Conclusions Claims related to central catheters had a high severity of patient injury. The most common complications causing injury were wire/catheter embolus, cardiac tamponade, carotid artery puncture/cannulation, hemothorax, and pneumothorax.

2020 ◽  
pp. 112972982092861
Author(s):  
Ryan J Smith ◽  
Rodrigo Cartin-Ceba ◽  
Julie A Colquist ◽  
Amy M Muir ◽  
Jeanine M Moorhead ◽  
...  

Objective: Peripherally inserted central catheters are a popular means of obtaining central venous access in critically ill patients. However, there is limited data regarding the rapidity of the peripherally inserted central catheter procedure in the presence of acute illness or obesity, both of which may impede central venous catheter placement. We aimed to determine the feasibility, safety, and duration of peripherally inserted central catheter placement in critically ill patients, including obese patients and patients in shock. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was performed using data on 55 peripherally inserted central catheters placed in a 30-bed multidisciplinary intensive care unit in Mayo Clinic Hospital, Phoenix, Arizona. Information on the time required to complete each step of the peripherally inserted central catheter procedure, associated complications, and patient characteristics was obtained from a prospectively assembled internal quality assurance database created through random convenience sampling. Results: The Median Procedure Time, beginning with the first needle puncture and ending when the procedure is complete, was 14 (interquartile range: 9–20) min. Neither critical illness nor obesity resulted in a statistically significant increase in the time required to complete the peripherally inserted central catheter procedure. Three (5.5%) minor complications were observed. Conclusion: Critical illness and obesity do not delay the acquisition of vascular access when placing a peripherally inserted central catheter. Concerns of delayed vascular access in critically ill patients should not deter a physician from selecting a peripherally inserted central catheter to provide vascular access when it would otherwise be appropriate.


2020 ◽  
pp. 112972982097078
Author(s):  
Francesco Londrino ◽  
Antonio Granata ◽  
Slave Boiceff ◽  
Massimo Guadagni ◽  
Sara Dominijanni ◽  
...  

Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters (PICCs) are widely used for hospitalized patients particularly in the oncological and hematological field. PICCs are a safe alternative to central venous catheters, mainly for medium- and long-term therapy


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Shane ◽  
Zahra Premji

Evidence from 2 clinical studies showed that there was no difference in the rates of infection and complications between peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) insertion at the bedside and insertion in Interventional Radiology (IR) suites. However, each of these studies focused on small subgroups of the larger pediatric population and had other methodological limitations. Evidence from 1 clinical study in a single quaternary, non-cardiac, pediatric intensive care unit suggested that the median time from PICC line order to successful insertion was longer for lines placed in the IR compared to at the bedside. Two guidelines were identified that recommend ultrasound guidance for insertion of central venous access devices (CVAD), including PICCs: 1 was aimed at all pediatric patients and 1 was aimed at onco-hematological pediatric patients who had numerous quality limitations.


2008 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 427-427
Author(s):  
Lee Shirland

I am writing concerning an article titled “Neonatal Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters: Recommendations for Prevention of Insertion and Postinsertion Complications,” published in Vol. 27, No. 4 (July/August 2008), pages 245– 257. Of concern are Figures 3 and 4 on page 253 titled securing the catheter with adhesive skin closure strips and looping the catheter. The instructions and pictures demonstrate how to secure the catheter using skin closure strips and show the strips placed over the catheter. This is of great concern. The manufacturer’s recommendations on BD L-Cath System state the following on page 8 line 26, “Secure the catheter and dress the site with a sterile dressing. Tapes and securing devices should never be applied directly to the non-protected catheter.” This caution is echoed in the article titled “Tiny Patients, Tiny Dressings: A Guide to Neonatal PICC Dressing Change,” published in Advances in Neonatal Care, Vol. 8, No. 3, pages 141–162. The author states the following, “Some hospitals use skin closure strips. If these are utilized, manufacturer’s recommendations should be followed, and they should never be placed directly overlying the catheter to avoid catheter breakage and embolism.” The author supports this statement with the following reference, Frey AM. PICC complications in neonates and children. Journal of Vascular Access Devices. 1999: 17–26. It is clear that skin closure strips used to secure the peripherally inserted central catheter pose great risk and must never be applied directly over the catheter. Thank you for sharing this important information with your readers.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 861-867 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emanuele Iacobone ◽  
Daniele Elisei ◽  
Diego Gattari ◽  
Luigi Carbone ◽  
Giuseppe Capozzoli

Introduction: Transthoracic echocardiography with bubble test is an accurate, reproducible, and safe technique to verify the location of the tip of the central venous catheter. The aim of this study is to confirm the effectiveness of this method for tip location in patients with atrial arrhythmia. Methods: Transthoracic echocardiography with bubble test was adopted as a method of tip location in patients with atrial arrhythmia requiring central venous catheter. If bubbles were evident in the right atrium in less than 2 s after simple saline injection, tip placement was assumed as correct. In cases of uncertain visualization of the bubble effect, the test was repeated injecting a saline–air mixture. Tip location was also assessed by post-procedural chest X-ray. Results: In 42 patients with no evident P-wave at the electrocardiography, we placed 34 centrally inserted central catheters and 8 peripherally inserted central catheters. Transthoracic echocardiography with bubble test detected two centrally inserted central catheter malpositions. In four patients with peripherally inserted central catheter, transthoracic echocardiography with bubble test was positive only when repeated with the saline–air mixture. When the transthoracic echocardiography was positive, the mean (±standard deviation) time for onset of the bubble effect was 0.89 ± 0.33 s in patients with centrally inserted central catheter and 1.1 ± 0.20 s in those with peripherally inserted central catheter; such time difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Tip location of central venous catheter by transthoracic echocardiography with bubble test is feasible, safe, and accurate in patients with atrial arrhythmia. This method can also be applied in peripherally inserted central catheters; however, further studies may be needed to confirm its use in this type of catheters.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 298-309
Author(s):  
Gholamreza Bahoush ◽  
◽  
◽  
Pourya Salajegheh ◽  
Ali Manafi Anari ◽  
...  

Accessing the veins for blood delivery, sampling or nutrition is a critical factor in the process of care and management of pediatric patients. In this regard, the peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) is one of the main alternatives which could be applied effectively as traditional central venous devices in neonates and adults. Due to their essential role in providing safe central venous entry, PICCs could be applied extensively in patients who are critically ill. The main aims of the present study are to review approximately all relevant publications concerning PICC procedures, any possible complications, and the most appropriate decision for preventing these complications due to their high mortality rate. We carried out a comprehensive search on PubMed, HubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Science Direct, Scopus, MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases for identifying the most relevant publications related to potential complications following the application and insertion of PICCs in hospitalized children and infants. Through appropriate care of catheters, the rate of possible infectious, mechanical and thrombotic complications would decrease considerably compared to those patients who received traditional central venous catheters. However, the process of vascular access in neonatal and children is very challenging. Any delay or denying treatment due to the lack of vascular access is intolerable. In this regard, anesthesiologists must achieve extra knowledge of various vascular devices.


2015 ◽  
Vol 87 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Renata Błasiak ◽  
Michał Ławiński ◽  
Krystyna Majewska ◽  
Aleksandra Gradowska

AbstractAccording to the ESPEN and ASPEN guidelines, in the case of a long-term (>3-month) parenteral nutrition should be administered via a subcutaneous central venous catheter (CVC). There are three types of mechanical complications of tunnelled central catheter: catheter rupture, occlusion by TPN depositing and thrombofibrotic occlusion.was to analyse the incidence of complications central catheter in a group of patients receiving HPN.Between January 2010 and June 2014, HPN was conducted in 584 patients (306 women and 278 men), ninety-nine patients were enrolled in the study: 67 women and 32 men in whom mechanical complications of central catheters were found.Among 99 patients, 71 used the tunnelled Broviac catheter. Groshong catheters were placed only in patients receiving parenteral nutrition due to cancer. Analyses have shown differences between the older and younger in the number of mechanical complications. Younger patients were found to have a larger number of catheter complications (1.6 ± 1.1) in comparison with older patients (1.3 ± 0.7). The catheter that was most commonly damaged was the Broviac catheter 76.8%. The most frequent type of mechanical complications was catheter rupture 64.81%.Mechanical complications of tunnelled central catheters in HPN patients can be repaired in an outpatient setting in half of the cases, which enables continuation of parenteral nutrition without the need to hospitalise the patient. The centres that conduct HPN should offer 24-hour care and help in case of problems with the central venous line to the patients.


2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 169-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pietro Antonio Zerla ◽  
Antonio Canelli ◽  
Giuseppe Caravella ◽  
Alessandra Gilardini ◽  
Giuseppe De Luca ◽  
...  

Abstract Today's patients are more complex in terms of comorbidities and other conditions requiring multiple, long-lasting therapies such as chemotherapy, total parenteral nutrition, blood transfusion or blood component infusions, and frequent blood sampling. The use of central venous catheters represents an important aspect of care for many patients. It is essential to inform health care workers of the risks associated with central venous catheters such as systemic and infectious complications, mechanical complications, and/or thrombotic complications. To maintain monitoring of our peripherally inserted central catheter team's activity, we developed and adopted a database in which all the data regarding each catheter are recorded. By doing that, we have improved catheter management, clinical efficiency, as well as achieved a cost reduction. We implanted 1416 vascular access devices in 1341 patients of both sexes (632 male and 709 female) for a total of 135,778 vascular access device-implant days between March 2010 and December 2013 for several indications. We have followed-up total complications and we correlated them with the need for catheter removal. The results were that open-tipped catheters resulted in both more complications and a greater need for removal.


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