The need for multiple vascular access or preemptive central venous catheterization in patients requiring planned interhospital helicopter transport: a flight doctor’s suggestion

Hemorrhagic shock can develop due to severe bleeding, such as after major trauma, postpartum or gastrointestinal bleeding. At least two peripheral intravenous routes with large-bore catheters are recommended to reverse hemorrhagic shock, and such functional intravenous routes are essential for the proper management of other concurrent diseases as well. Conditions during helicopter transportation are different from those seen in-hospital, and the primary concerns are to maintain aseptic conditions, protect patient’s privacy, and prevent infection risk, especially during pandemics, such as the ongoing COVID-19. Herein, I describe two recent experiences of improper management during helicopter transport due to intravenous line malfunction. Subsequently, based on my experience, I suggest the use of multiple intravenous routes or preemptive central catheterization in patients requiring helicopter transportation.

1056. Safety and Tolerability of Dalbavancin in Vancomycin Allergic Patients – A Case Series

Background VVancomycin and dalbavancin, both in the glycopeptide class of antibiotics, are used in the treatment of Gram-positive infections, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Antibiotics in this class contain a heptapeptide core that has potential for cross-sensitivity. Due to this risk, dalbavancin carries a warning in the package insert for use in patients with a glycopeptide allergy. Dalbavancin, a semi-synthetic derivative of vancomycin, has lipophilic side chains which reduce the risk of cross-sensitivity to vancomycin. This case series evaluated patients with a listed vancomycin allergy in their electronic health record who received dalbavancin as an outpatient infusion. Methods This study was a non-randomized, retrospective chart review of adult patients who had a documented vancomycin allergy and received dalbavancin between February 2016 and February 2021 for any indication in the outpatient setting. The primary objective was to evaluate dalbavancin tolerability in patients allergic to vancomycin. Patient characteristics and the specifics of dalbavancin infusion – dose, volume, infusion rate, intravenous line access, and receipt of premedication before infusion – were collected on each patient. Results 559 unique patients received dalbavancin over the time frame. Of these, ten had a documented, subjective vancomycin allergy. Patient-reported allergic reactions were rash (4), hives (3), anaphylaxis (2), red man syndrome (2), renal failure (2), and general malaise (1). Six patients had at least 1 additional subjective drug allergy. The various infections treated included cellulitis/abscess (8), osteomyelitis (1), and bacteremia (2). Most patients received 1500mg (2 received 1125mg) of dalbavancin in 300-500mL of dextrose 5% in water infused at either 600 or 1000mL/hr via a peripheral (6) or central (4) intravenous line. All patients tolerated the infusion with no adverse events reported and no receipt of premedication before administration. Conclusion Dalbavancin may be a reasonable treatment option in vancomycin allergic patients, despite possible cross-sensitivity. Further investigation into cross-sensitivity between vancomycin, dalbavancin, and other glycopeptide class agents is warranted. Disclosures Kerry O. Cleveland, M.D., AbbVie (Speaker’s Bureau)Merck (Speaker’s Bureau)Pfizer (Speaker’s Bureau) Bruce M. Jones, PharmD, BCPS, Abbvie (Consultant, Advisor or Review Panel member, Speaker’s Bureau)La Jolla (Speaker’s Bureau)Melinta (Consultant)Merck (Consultant)Paratek (Consultant, Speaker’s Bureau)

Measuring Activated Clotting Time during Cardiac Catheterization and PCI: The Effect of the Sampling Site

Background/Purpose. We aimed to investigate the influence of the sampling site on the variability of ACT measurement. Activated clotting time (ACT) has been used for decades in cardiac surgery and interventional cardiology to assess unfractionated heparin activity. However, standardized protocols for the use of ACT measurement in the catheterization laboratory are lacking. Methods/Materials. After elective cardiac catheterization, ACT measurements were collected in simultaneously obtained blood samples from three different sample sites: the arterial catheter, arterial sheath, and peripheral intravenous line. Measurements were performed using the i-Stat® device (Abbott, Princeton, NJ, USA). The study was conducted with approval of the local medical ethical committee. Results. In 100 patients (mean age 67.1, 65% male), no significant differences were observed in ACT values obtained from the guiding catheter and arterial sheath (mean difference (MD) −18.3 s; standard deviation (SD) 96 s; P = 0.067 ). Contrarily, ACT values obtained from the intravenous line were significantly lower as compared to values obtained from the guiding catheter (MD 25.7 s; SD 75.5; P = 0.003 ) and arterial sheath (MD 39 s; SD 102.8; P < 0.001 ). Furthermore, ACT measurements from the arterial sheath showed a statistically significant proportional bias when compared to the other sampling sites (sheath vs. catheter, r = 0.761, P = 0.001 ; sheath vs. IVL, r = 1.013, P < 0.001 ). Conclusions. The present study shows statistical significance and possibly clinically relevant variations between ACT measurements from different sample sites. Bias in ACT measurements may be minimized by using uniform protocols for ACT measurement during cardiac catheterization.

Reducing healthcare-associated infections by improving compliance to aseptic non-touch technique in intravenous line maintenance: a quality improvement approach

BackgroundLack of standardisation and failure to maintain aseptic techniques during procedures contributes to healthcare-associated infections (HCAI). Although numerous procedures are performed in neonatal intensive care units (NICU), handling peripheral intravenous lines is one of the simple and common procedures performed daily. Despite evidence-based care bundle approach variability is higher, and compliance to asepsis is less in routine clinical practice. In this study, we aimed to standardise and improve compliance with Aseptic non-technique (ANTT) in intravenous line maintenance of neonates admitted to NICU to reduce HCAI by 50% over 6 months.MethodsAll nurses were subjects of assessment for compliance with intravenous line maintenance. All admitted neonates with intravenous lines were subjects for the HCAI data collection. At baseline, the current practices for intravenous line maintenance were observed on a generic ANTT audit proforma. Pictorial standard operating procedure (SOP) was developed based on ANTT. Implementation and sustenance were ensured by Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles. Audit data on compliance to ANTT and trends of HCAI rates were displayed using run charts monthly. Qualitative experience from the nursing staff was also recorded.ResultsSignificant improvement was seen in compliance to various components—use of the aseptic field (0% to 100%), closed ports (0% to 100%), key part contamination reduction (80% to 0%), and intravenous hub scrubbing (0% to 72%). SOP of intravenous line maintenance based on ANTT could be implemented and sustained throughout for 9 months. There was a reduction of HCAI from 26 per 1000 patient days to 8 per 1000 patient days. Qualitative experience showed the main determinant of compliance to scrub the hub was the neonate’s sickness level.ConclusionsUsing a quality improvement model of improvement, ANTT in intravenous line maintenance was implemented stepwise. Improving compliance with ANTT principles in intravenous line maintenance reduced HCAI. Scrub the hub requires longer sustained efforts to become part of the practice.

Ultrasound Guided Peripheral Intravenous Line Placement Using the Incremental Advancement Method

Chapter 4 discusses the dynamic use of ultrasound to guide the placement of a peripheral intravenous (IV) line. Ultrasound can be used to guide placement of multiple types of vascular access. Arteries and veins are sonographically similar in cross section: hyperechoic circles with hypoechoic interiors. Arteries are thicker walled and characteristically pulsatile. Veins are more susceptible to compression. Doppler or color flow can distinguish the amplitude and direction of flow. Skill with placing peripheral ultrasound guided IV lines in patients with difficult IV access can often help the practitioner avoid the need to place a central line, assuming the central line is not needed for other indications.

Peripheral Intravenous Line Access

A peripheral intravenous catheter is used to access a peripheral vein. To start a peripheral intravenous line, identify the site, place a tourniquet, clean the skin, stabilize the vein, and insert the catheter. When a “flash” is obtained, thread off the catheter, connect it to the tubing, and secure. This chapter describes tips for finding common intravenous access sites in children, which are the metacarpal, saphenous, cephalic, median, and scalp veins. These veins vary in size, depth, and difficulty. Metacarpal/dorsal hand veins are on the dorsal aspect of the hand and typically arise from adjacent digital veins and form a network that usually provides several targets for access, although there is significant variation. These veins form the cephalic vein (radial side) and basilic vein (ulnar side) as they converge. The cephalic vein arises from the lateral (radial) side of the dorsal venous network before curving around the wrist to run along the anterolateral forearm, where it is frequently easily accessed. It continues on this course up the arm, but more proximally it is less superficial. The median cubital vein runs from the cephalic vein medially toward the basilic vein diagonally across the antecubital fossa and is reliably present if not always visible. The greater saphenous vein is formed on the foot from the dorsal vein of the great toe and the dorsal venous arch of the foot. It ascends anteriorly to the medial malleolus and superiorly up the medial calf.