Development of the UK Vessel Health and Preservation (VHP) framework: a multi-organisational collaborative

Abstract

Vascular access is an important part of many patient care management plans but has some unwanted risks. Previous work published by Moureau et al. (2012) inspired a working group led by the UK Infection Prevention Society (IPS) to produce a vessel health and preservation (VHP) framework. This was with the intention of producing a resource for frontline staff to be able to assess and select the best vascular access device to meet the individual patient's needs and to preserve veins for future use. The working group produced a framework that used available evidence, expert opinion and some small scale testing of the components of the framework. The work so far has received positive feedback but further work is required to formally evaluate the VHP framework in clinical practice to measure both staff knowledge and patient outcomes.

Tools, Clinical Prediction Rules, and Algorithms for the Insertion of Peripheral Intravenous Catheters in Adult Hospitalized Patients: A Systematic Scoping Review of Literature

“…This review identifi es a clinically signifi cant gap in vascular access science. The fi ndings of this review support recent work on vessel health and preservation [47][48][49] and appropriate device insertion. 50 It also points to the need for further research on the development and testing of an appropriate clinical TRA to improve vascular access outcomes in clinical practice.…”

Implementation of a paediatric peripheral intravenous catheter care bundle: A quality improvement initiative

“…Currently, there is no validated tool that provides direction for clinicians within inpatient facilities faced with inserting a PIVC in paediatric patients with DiVA. Previous studies in adults and paediatric emergency have successfully developed a tool to identify DiVA patients; however, these tools lack generalisability to the wider inpatient paediatric cohort and provide little direction for treatment escalation. Whilst the work of Hallam et al .…”

Development of a paediatric central venous access device database: A retrospective cohort study of practice evolution and risk factors for device failure

“…This includes the incorporation of enhanced decontamination products (including chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG)), novel catheter materials and designs, ultrasound guidance (USG), interventional radiology techniques and alternative sites . Advances in medical and surgical care have meant children are surviving previously fatal illnesses, but with long‐term health‐care needs, consequently maintaining vessel health into adulthood is increasingly important . Increased survivorship and a growing interest in vessel health and preservation has driven an increased focus on interventions, which reduce catheter failure and complications, such as catheter lock solutions and catheter salvage, rather than replacement of catheters affected by infection, occlusion and thrombosis .…”

“…10 Advances in medical and surgical care have meant children are surviving previously fatal illnesses, but with long-term health-care needs, consequently maintaining vessel health into adulthood is increasingly important. 11 Increased survivorship and a growing interest in vessel health and preservation has driven an increased focus on interventions, which reduce catheter failure and complications, such as catheter lock solutions 12 and catheter salvage, 13,14 rather than replacement of catheters affected by infection, occlusion and thrombosis. 10,14 Despite this renewed focus, little is known about how well these CVAD practices have been implemented into practice, and their impact on vessel health and preservation in the acutely unwell child.…”