Introduction Vascular access is the commonest invasive procedure performed on hospitalised patients, but it is not without complications1. Complications can include phlebitis, localised infection,...
A platform for clinicians to share and increase knowledge about topical, innovative issues in Vascular Access & Infusion Therapies with the aim of ensuring safe patient-centered IV practices.
VascuFirst is a Vygon initiative.
Maintaining the patency of PICC catheters: 3 complications to be aware of
Ever since their creation, vascular access teams dedicated to PICC placement have proven to be efficient in reducing catheter-related complications. However, as Nancy Moureau commented in a clinical...
What is the meaning of symbols on medical devices labels?
On medical devices labels, manufacturers have to include the necessary information about the equipment that healthcare professionals are going to use for patient care. Provided on products’ batches...
The placement of PICC-ports by multidisciplinary teams – A Marta Rubio de las Cuevas interview
In this article, we interview Marta Rubio de las Cuevas on the placement of PICC-ports by multidisciplinary teams. Marta has been a nurse in the Vascular-Interventional Radiology Department at the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital in Santander, which has been a pioneer in the training of multidisciplinary teams for the insertion of PICCs for 43 years…
5 things to know about thrombosis in PICCs
In this article, we will address thrombosis in peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) based on the following aspects: incidence, causes, physiology, symptomatology, and prevention…
Therapeutic Apheresis
We are currently seeing a boom in therapeutic apheresis (TA) with indications not only in oncohaematology, but also in nephrology, cardiology, dermatology, gastroenterology, rheumatology, neurology, metabolic diseases… the list of diseases whose treatments include TA goes on and on…
Administration of chemotherapy: what are the risks in the Oncology Day Hospital?
Too many patients attend the Oncology Day Hospital (ODH) services to receive their chemotherapy treatment. In an environment with a significant healthcare burden, nurses are also exposed to the danger of cytostatic drugs used in cancer treatments…
The Seldinger technique: when to use the classical or modified method
The evolution of the Seldinger technique since its development in the 1950s has allowed this method to be used with other types of vascular access devices and in fields outside of interventional radiology…
Midline catheter: placement and maintenance protocol
The midline catheter growth has been exponential since it is a resource that allows a notable improvement in the management of vascular access for medium-term treatments compatible with peripheral perfusion…
The use of the ZIM Method and tunnelling in PICC placement
The performance of a Vascular Access Device (VAD) can be predicted based on four criteria: tip position, insertion technique, cannulated vein and exit site.
Administration of antineoplastic drugs: a safety issue
The increasing use of infusion pumps for chemotherapy treatments means that they must be used with hazardous drugs (e.g. 5-fluorouracil), which poses a risk of exposure for workers, patients and caregivers during the filling, handling, administration and removal of this type of device.
Prevention of complications in PICCs: how to prevent obstruction
Maintenance of PICCs requires a set of washing and sealing procedures. However, what should be done if a PICC catheter is obstructed despite applying the protocols correctly?