Healthcare professionals often face challenges with the securement of vascular access devices (VADs). These challenges can lead to complications such as dislodgement, migration and infection.

Best practice guidelines recommend that all vascular access devices (VADs) be secured to prevent complications and improve patient outcomes. There is a variety of catheter securement methods, each with differing advantages. Securement can be transdermal, cutaneous, and subcutaneous.

In the second part of a three-part Wednesday Workshop series, “Stop Struggling with Vascular Access Device Outcomes: Superior Securement”, Matt Gibson RN, CRNI, VA-BC, CPUI, provides an overview of these techniques and the benefits and drawbacks of each respective application.

By following these ‘Six Steps to Superior Securement’, healthcare professionals can improve patient outcomes and prevent complications by pairing VAD securement with regular monitoring of the VADs insertion site, dressing, and tubing.

The goal of VAD care and maintenance is to reduce the risk of complications and preserve the device function for the duration of therapy.

Common challenges that can occur in maintaining the device are:

• Dressing disruption
• Device migration/dislodgement
• Micropistoning of the device
• Compliance to aseptic technique

Download Six Steps to Superior Securement

If you believe these challenges are occurring at your facility, quality improvement is possible! Eloquest Healthcare, Inc. can partner with your institution to facilitate a Vascular Access Device Site Assessment to determine the state of both dressing and skin integrity for patients in your facility, while providing you and your team with information on your facility’s infection risk, nurse efficiency, and product waste. Click HERE to request a Point Prevalence Assessment today!