CENTRAL VENOUS CATHETERIZATION

1 DISCLAIMER: These guidelines were prepared by the Department of Surgical Education, Orlando Regional Medical Center. They are intended to serve as a general statement regarding appropriate patient care practices based upon the available medical literature and clinical expertise at the time of development. They should not be considered to be accepted protocol or policy, nor are intended to replace clinical judgment or dictate care of individual patients. EVIDENCE DEFINITIONS Class I: Prospective randomized controlled trial. Class II: Prospective clinical study or retrospective analysis of reliable data. Includes observational, cohort, prevalence, or case control studies.

2 Class III: Retrospective study. Includes database or registry reviews, large series of case reports, expert opinion. Technology assessment: A technology study which does not lend itself to classification in the above-mentioned format. Devices are evaluated in terms of their accuracy, reliability, therapeutic potential, or cost effectiveness. LEVEL OF RECOMMENDATION DEFINITIONS Level 1: Convincingly justifiable based on available scientific information alone. Usually based on Class I data or strong Class II evidence if randomized testing is inappropriate. Conversely, low quality or contradictory Class I data may be insufficient to support a Level I recommendation.

3 Level 2: Reasonably justifiable based on available scientific evidence and strongly supported by expert opinion. Usually supported by Class II data or a preponderance of Class III evidence. Level 3: Supported by available data, but scientific evidence is lacking. Generally supported by Class III data. Useful for educational purposes and in guiding future clinical research. 1 Approved 4/03/2001 Revised 3/29/2005, 12/03/2009 CENTRAL VENOUS CATHETERIZATION SUMMARY Over 5 million CENTRAL VENOUS catheters (CVC) are inserted annually in the United States for hemodynamic monitoring or medication administration.

4 CVC are associated with significant infectious, mechanical, and thrombotic complications and should be discontinued when they are no longer needed for patient monitoring or resuscitation. Proper insertion technique is essential in order to prevent CVC-related complications from occurring. RECOMMENDATIONS Level 1 Healthcare workers should be educated regarding the indications, proper insertion, maintenance, and appropriate infection control measures associated with CVC use. Full barrier precautions (cap, mask, sterile gown, sterile gloves, and large full-body drape) should be utilized during each CVC insertion.

5 Good hand hygiene should be performed both before and after CVC insertion and maintenance. Meticulous aseptic technique should be maintained during CVC insertion and care. Skin asepsis should be obtained using 2% chlorhexidine gluconate prior to CVC insertion. The subclavian vein is the preferred site of CVC insertion. The femoral vein should be used only when the subclavian and internal jugular sites are unavailable. CVCs impregnated with either chlorhexidine / silver sulfadiazine or minocycline / rifampin should be utilized to reduce the risk of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI).

6 Either sterile gauze or a sterile transparent, semi-permeable dressing should be used to cover the catheter site. Gauze is preferable if the site is bleeding. Antibiotic or antiseptic ointment should not be applied to catheter insertion sites with the exception of hemodialysis catheters. CVCs should not be replaced on a routine basis. When the catheter insertion site shows no signs of inflammation and CRBSI is not suspected, a CVC may be safely changed over a guidewire. Promptly remove any CVC that is no longer essential to patient care. Level 2 A CVC with the minimum number of ports or lumens essential for the management of the patient should be utilized.

7 CVC insertion sites should be inspected daily for signs of infection or tenderness. When adherence to aseptic technique cannot be ensured ( , when CVCs are inserted under emergency conditions), catheters should be replaced as soon as possible and always within 24 hours. 2 Approved 4/03/2001 Revised 3/29/2005, 12/03/2009 INTRODUCTION CENTRAL VENOUS catheters (CVC) play a significant role in the therapeutic armamentarium of the surgeon and intensivist. Over 5 million of these catheters are inserted annually in the United States with greater than 50% of patients requiring ICU-level care having one or more of these devices inserted (1).

8 Such insertion can be fraught with complications that can significantly impact patient morbidity and mortality (infection, pneumothorax, hemothorax, hematoma, thrombosis, arrhythmia, arterial puncture). The rate of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) is approximately per 1,000 catheter days with an associated cost per infection estimated at $25,000 to $56,000 and an attributable mortality of 12-25% (2). The following guidelines are intended to reduce the incidence of such complications by basing CVC use on well-documented scientific evidence. This is also a requirement of the 2009 National Patient Safety Goals (NPSG) as mandated by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) (3).

9 : Implement best practices or evidence-based guidelines to prevent CENTRAL line associated bloodstream infections As of January 1, The hospital educates health care workers who are involved in these procedures about healthcare associated infections, CENTRAL line associated bloodstream infections, and the importance of prevention. Education occurs upon hire, annually thereafter, and when involvement in these procedures is added to an individual s job responsibilities. Prior to insertion of a CVC, the hospital educates patients and, as needed, their families about CENTRAL line associated bloodstream infection prevention.

10 The hospital implements policies and practices aimed at reducing the risk of CENTRAL line associated bloodstream infections. The CENTRAL line associated bloodstream infection rates, monitors compliance with best practices or evidence-based guidelines , and evaluates the effectiveness of prevention efforts. Use a catheter checklist and a standardized protocol for CVC insertion. Perform hand hygiene prior to catheter insertion or manipulation. For adult patients, do not insert catheters into the femoral vein unless other sites are unavailable. Use a standardized supply cart or kit that is all inclusive for the insertion of CVCs.