The implementation of the Vessel Health and Preservation framework

Abstract

Vascular access is an important component of health care but is not without associated risks, some of which can be life-threatening. The Vessel Health and Preservation (VHP) framework was developed with the intention of providing frontline staff with a resource to assist in assessing and selecting the best vascular access device to meet individual patient needs and to preserve veins for future use. This article examines the impact of the introduction of the framework into a haematology ward in an acute hospital in the North West of England during a 3-month pilot study. The results indicate that the VHP framework gave nursing staff more autonomy to choose the appropriate vascular access device for their patients and improved staff knowledge around pH and osmolality of intravenous drugs. However it is clear that more in-depth evaluations need to be conducted to assess the impact of VHP on patient care and outcomes.

Vessel health and preservation: An integrative review

“…Eight of the nine papers included in the review were theoretical. The remaining pilot study was conducted in a haematology ward that used the VHP programme (Weston, Nightingale, Loughlin, & Ventura, ). All nine studies were published between 1999 and 2017 (Table ).…”

“…All nine studies were published between 1999 and 2017 (Table ). Four of the studies were conducted in the USA (Blackburn, ; Hadaway, ; Moureau & Chopra, ; Moureau et al., ), and five were conducted in the UK (Hallam et al., ; Jackson et al., ; Shaw, a, b; Weston et al., ).…”

“…Weston et al. () conducted a unique study that evaluated the VHP programme, tested the model developed in 2012 and conducted a preliminary pilot study. Shaw (, ) reiterated the benefits of using the VHP programme and described tools that were useful in cases of difficult cannulation, emphasising the importance of HCPs’ knowledge and skills in the assessment and placement of VADs.…”

“…In each study, patients were involved because the purpose of the VHP programme includes the early assessment of patients’ vessels, the limitation of damage and complications, the overall improvement of patient outcomes, safety and satisfaction and the avoidance of vein depletion (Hadaway, ; Hallam et al., ; Moureau et al., ). In fact, a statement that appropriately synthesises the purpose of the VHP programme is “to provide the right line for the right patient at the right time” (Jackson et al., ; Moureau et al., ; Weston et al., ).…”

Helping nurses help PIVCs: decision aids for daily assessment and maintenance

“…Implementing decision frameworks into practice requires extensive education planning and delivery by experienced, knowledgeable vascular access and infusion specialists. Early studies reveal modest improvements in staff knowledge and patient outcomes following implementation of these frameworks (Swaminathan et al, 2017;Weston, Nightingale, O'Loughlin, & Ventura, 2017), but validation of the frameworks is urgently needed. A possible drawback of frameworks is that they can become too complex to be practical at the point of care, unless adequate supporting processes and tools are in place.…”