Don’t leave in place any type of venous catheter (central; peripheral; short, medium or long term) if the problem for which it was set is no longer present.

Don’t leave in place any type of venous catheter (central; peripheral; short, medium or long term) if the problem for which it was set is no longer present.

Type of practice

Other health practices

Age

Adult, Geriatric

Topic Area

Nursing

Often in daily practice, vascular devices are left in place only for the likelihood that once removed they can be necessary again. The main guidelines indicate that in order to prevent and reduce complications (infections, phlebitis, thrombosis) a venous catheter should be removed as soon as possible, unless the signs that induced its placement are lasting,

Sources

1. Pittiruti M, Van Boxtel T, Scoppettuolo G, et al. European recommendations on the proper indication and use of peripheral venous access devices (the ERPIUP consensus): A WoCoVA project. J Vasc Access 2023;24:165-82.
2. Gorski LA, Hadaway L, Hagle ME et al. Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice, 8th Edition. J Infus Nurs 2021;44 (Suppl 1):S224.
3. Loveday HP, Wilson JA, Pratt RJ, et al. epic3: national evidence-based guidelines for preventing healthcare-associated infections in NHS hospitals in England. J Hosp Infect 2014;86 (Suppl 1):S1-70.
4. NHMRC. Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare.(2019) [Internet].
https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/about-us/publications/australian-guidelines-prevention-and-control-infection-healthcare-2019 [accessed January 2024].

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Attention. Please note that these items are provided only for information and are not intended as a substitute for consultation with a clinician. Patients with any specific questions about the items on this list or their individual situation should consult their clinician.