Peripheral and central vascular access devices are vital in patient care, yet their impact on quality of life (QoL) remains underreported. This scoping review explored whether current tools effectively capture the patient experience.Study Overview
The review examined 21 studies that used various PROMs (patient-reported outcome measures) in patients with PIVCs, midlines, and PICCs. The aim was to determine whether these instruments accurately reflect device-related burdens.Key FindingsMost st...

Arterial catheters (ACs) are widely used in ICU settings, but their long-term outcomes and complications are not well understood. This study analyzed pooled data from four randomized controlled trials to better understand the infection risk and failure rates of ACs in critically ill adults.Study Overview
Data from 1,117 ICU patients was examined to assess arterial catheter-related complications, including infections and device failure. The focus was on understanding survival time, failure me...

Central venous access devices (CVADs) are essential for children undergoing cancer treatment, yet their care and maintenance practices differ widely around the world. A recent international cross-sectional survey of clinicians from 42 countries examined current CVAD management practices in pediatric oncology and compared approaches between high-income and middle-income countries.Study Overview
Conducted from May 2022 to December 2023, the survey gathered responses from 220 clinicians, with 1...

Umbilical vascular catheters (UVCs and UACs) are vital in neonatal intensive care, providing access for fluid, nutrition, and medication delivery. However, these catheters are also associated with a range of adverse events (AEs), including infection, thrombosis, and dislodgement. A recent study aimed to develop a clinical risk prediction model to better identify neonates at higher risk of complications from these catheters.Study Overview
Using retrospective data from a South Australian NICU ...

Midline catheters are gaining interest as a safer alternative to peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) in pediatric patients who require medium-term intravenous therapy. However, robust evidence comparing the two devices in children is still limited. A recent randomized feasibility trial explored whether a full-scale study comparing midline catheters and PICCs in hospitalized children is possible—and what early outcomes tell us.Study Overview
This single-site study enrolled child...

Securing reliable vascular access in neonates is complex and often challenging. A recent pre–post intervention study examined whether incorporating near-infrared (NIR) huddles—a structured team discussion using infrared imaging—could improve first-attempt PIVC insertion success in neonates.Study Overview
Conducted over five months at a neonatal unit in Australia, this study reviewed data from 248 neonates and 370 cannulations across three phases: baseline, education, and intervention. ...

Peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) insertion is a routine yet frequently challenging procedure, particularly in patients with difficult intravenous access (DIVA). Infrared (IR) vein visualization devices have been introduced to assist clinicians by improving vein detection and cannulation success. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effectiveness of IR devices compared to the traditional palpation technique.Study Overview
Drawing from five randomized controlled trials i...

Peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) insertion is a routine but often challenging procedure, especially for patients with difficult venous access (DIVA). Traditional methods frequently result in multiple failed attempts, pain, and distress. This study explores patient experiences with ultrasound-guided PIVC insertion, comparing it to traditional techniques.Study Overview
Researchers conducted a qualitative study at a 980-bed Australian metropolitan hospital, interviewing 13 patients who re...

Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are widely used in both adult and pediatric patients, but complications like infections, thrombosis, and occlusions remain a concern. A recent randomized controlled trial compared different catheter materials to determine whether new technologies could reduce PICC failure rates.Study Overview
The trial included 1,098 patients across three Australian hospitals, randomly assigned to receive one of three types of PICCs:Hydrophobic PICC
Chlorhexid...

Selecting the appropriate vascular access device is crucial for effective patient care and treatment outcomes…Continue Reading:  https://www.icumed.com/about-us/clinical-connections/vascular-access/paths-to-precision-device-decisions/ *. ICU Medical has provided grant funding to AVATAR...