A scoping review of Clinical Studies, Hospital Group Reports and National Strategic Documents on vascular access devices in cancer patients

Abstract

Introduction: The extent of vascular/venous access device (VAD) research output from the Island of Ireland is unknown. The identification of the papers available is important to create a future research agenda. Objectives: The main objective of this study is to answer three questions: What is the number and descriptive quality of reported Vascular Access Device literature from the Island of Ireland? Is the reporting of Catheter Related Infection rates for cancer patients common in Irish Hospital Groups, National Cancer Reports and Publication Outputs? What are the implications for future research in this area? Methods: We used a scoping review and searched selected databases, grey literature and hospital regulatory bodies websites following the Joanna Briggs Institute Guidelines 2017. A data charting form was developed based on a template from the Joanna Briggs Institute and this was used to extract data from the included reports. Results: A total of 660 reports were screened. Sixty-one full text articles were reviewed from which 20 reports were included for data extraction. Of the reports included the following designs were used: nine retrospective study designs, four guidelines, two prospective study designs, two literature reviews and one of the following; survey, case study and cross sectional analysis designs. We did not identify any randomised controlled trials, systematic reviews, meta-analysis, meta-synthesis and scoping reviews. Five studies included catheter related infection rates. Gaps in the research include the collection of data sets and the need to establish a VAD registry; develop core outcomes for VADs; assessment and evaluation of VAD care bundles among cancer patients; and, the inclusion of public and patient involvement in future VAD research. Conclusion: The reporting of VAD outcomes in published literature regarding cancer patients receiving treatment in Ireland is inconsistent and varied with no interventional studies addressing vascular access complications in cancer care.