Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) are deadly, associated with 12 to 25% mortality among the critical care patient population.¹ Published guidance for preventing CRBSIs recommends a bundled approach for eliminating known risks. Multiple organizations, including the CDC, have published evidence based guidelines for preventing CRBSIs.² However, little has changed regarding device care and maintenance.

Jack LeDonne, MD, FACS, VA-BC has often stated that the care and maintenance phase comprises 99% of the life of the central venous catheter (CVC). He strongly advocates for insertion that facilitates improved CVC care and maintenance. These recommendations include: ideally selecting an insertion location with a flat surface, not cutting the skin, and use of a gum mastic dressing adhesive to improve the dressing wear time.

In this video, Dr. LeDonne features a case example of the insertion of a right axillary central venous catheter in a diaphoretic patient. Dr. LeDonne features the tips, tools, and techniques that comprise what he considers Modern Vascular Access.

Jack LeDonne hails from Brooklyn, NY. He graduated from Fordham University and St. George’s University, School of Medicine, in Grenada. Dr. LeDonne completed his surgical residency at the Wyckoff Heights Hospital, in Brooklyn, and fellowships at the Shock-Trauma Center in Baltimore and Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, Mass. He is presently the medical director at Chesapeake Vascular Access and a partner at Vascular Access Consultants.

Vascular access is Dr. LeDonne’s clinical and research interest. Dr. LeDonne has ten publications, including two videos, to his credit. Jack is a strong believer in the power of video as an educational tool. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Vascular Access Board Certified and a past president of the Association for Vascular Access.

For more information about Mastisol® Liquid Adhesive, or information on Vascular Access Dressing Adherence Point Prevalence Assessments, please contact your sales consultant or Eloquest Healthcare®, Inc., call 1-877-433-7626 or visit www.eloquesthealthcare.com.

1. Raad I, Hanna H, Maki D. Intravascular catheter-related infections: advances in diagnosis, prevention, and management. Lancet Infect Dis. 2007 Oct; 7(10): 645-57. PMID: 17897607.
2. O’Grady NP, Alexander M, Burns LA, Dellinger EP, Garland J, Heard SO, Lipsett PA, Masur H, Mermel LA, Pearson ML, Raad II, Randolph AG, Rupp ME, Saint S; Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee. Guidelines for the prevention of intravascular catheter-related infections. Am J Infect Control. 2011 May; 39(4 Suppl 1): S1-34. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2011.01.033.