I want to be absolutely sure I am understanding this correctly: 2011 Infusion Nursing Standards of Practice 44 Vascular Access Device Removal 44.3 along with Practice Criteria A. state that a SPC may stay in place until there is an identified clinical indication (phlebitis, infiltration, patency, etc) and routine rotation is NOT required to follow a pre-established amount of days (i.e four days), although an organization can define routine rotation time frames.
Is it recommended to word an organization policy to promote retention of adult SPC until clinically indicated for removal?
Forum topic
Tue, 03/25/2014 - 14:03
#1
Dwell duration of SPC
The evidence is showing that the SPC should be removed when there is a clinical indication to remove it and not according to a set number of hours or days. Wording of your hospital policy depends upon what your hospital wants it to be and there is no recommendation about that. The standards are stating what the evidence shows. Most SPC do not dwell longer than 48 hours before there is a clinical need to change it. You could establish a maximum length of time, ie. 5 days, 7 days if your infection preventionist is concerned about infection from extended dwell. This also brings up the need to improve our skin antisepsis before SPC insertion, adequate catheter stabilization and dressing integrity. Lynn
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, BC, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
126 Main Street, PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861