The state of vascular access teams: Results of a European survey

Abstract

Background Many European health institutions have appointed multidisciplinary teams for the general management of vascular access to help improve efficiency, patient safety and reduce costs. Vascular access teams (VATs), or infusion teams, are specifically trained groups of healthcare professionals who assess, place, manage and monitor various outcomes and aspects of vascular access care. Objective To assess the current landscape of vascular access management as a discipline across Europe. Methods A Faculty of European VAT leads and experts developed a survey of 20 questions which was disseminated across several European countries. Questions focused on respondent and institution profile, vascular access device selection and placement, monitoring and reporting of complications, and access to training and education. The 1449 respondents included physicians, nurses, anaesthetists, radiologists and surgeons from public and private institutions ranging in size. Results Availability of dedicated VATs vary by country, institution size, and institution type. Institutions with a VAT are more likely to utilise a tool (eg, algorithm or guideline) to determine the appropriate vascular access device (55% vs 38%, P < .0002) and to have feedback on systematic monitoring of complications (40% vs 28%, P = .015). Respondents from institutions with a VAT are more likely to have received training on vascular access management (79% vs 53%, P < .0001) and indicated that the VAT was a source of support when difficulties arise. Conclusion The survey results highlight some of the potential benefits of implementing a dedicated VAT including the use of a broader range of vascular access devices, increased awareness of the presence of vascular access policies, increased the likelihood of recent vascular access training, and increased rates of systematic monitoring of associated complications. The study reveals potential areas for further focus in the field of vascular access care, specifically examining the direct impact of vascular access teams.

The role of hospital‐based vascular access teams and implications for patient safety: A multi‐methods study

“…Our findings are consistent with previous research underscoring the potential advantages of broadening the roles and responsibilities of VATs 22 and the value these teams add to hospitals, such as increased staff knowledge/training and enhanced catheter monitoring/appropriateness 23 . Further, our findings related to team functions are consistent with a small qualitative study 24 which included interviews with 14 VAT professionals from nine countries.…”

“…Our findings are consistent with previous research underscoring the potential advantages of broadening the roles and responsibilities of VATs 22 and the value these teams add to hospitals, such as increased staff knowledge/training and enhanced catheter monitoring/appropriateness. 23 Further, our findings related to team functions are consistent with a small qualitative study 24 for patients. This critical aspect relies on understanding infusion needs, venous anatomy, the safety of various vascular access devices, and the best strategy to preserve venous access and is often not known by physicians who order devices.…”

Nursing Practices and Sensitive Outcomes Related to Peripheral Intravenous Catheterization in Portugal

“…Finally, none of the studies reported the existence of vascular access teams or health professionals (nurses and physicians) recognized as vascular access specialists, with training and title accredited by the regulatory bodies of their professions, unlike other European countries such as Spain, Italy, United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. 48 The existence of specialized teams and professionals allows centralizing and coordinating the approach of the institution to vascular access, giving them the responsibility for issuing evidence-informed clinical guidelines, providing updated and recurrent training to their professionals, promoting research initiatives, conducting clinical audits, and carrying out cost-effectiveness studies on the implementation of innovative technologies and devices. 49 As a call to action, these findings demonstrate an urgent need for discussion and the creation of specialized teams, with institutional support, to counter some of the trends seen over the past few years in Portugal, thus contributing to the delivery of high-quality, safe care in this area.…”

Making a difference? A retrospective review of peripherally inserted central catheters: A single-center experience in Colombia

“…The creation of programs such as this one is widely supported in the literature, demonstrating as successful the conformation of work teams led by medical and nursing staff. 13,14 The program makes use of ultrasound and electrocardiographic (ECG) guidance that guides the puncture and confirms the position of the catheter tip; these strategies are supported in the current literature, thus reducing the incidence of complications. 15,16 According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in the United States, there is an estimated annual prevalence of 250,000 cases of bacteremia associated with the implantation of a central venous catheter.…”