Preventing arterial catheter-related harm in intensive care

Overview

Each year more than 200,000 patients (adults and children) are admitted to intensive care units (ICU) in Australia and New Zealand for treatment of serious and life-threatening injury or illness, or recovery from major surgery. The vast majority (~90%) of ICU patients will require an arterial catheter during their admission to optimise vital treatment and monitoring. Arterial catheters are small hollow plastic tubes inserted into peripheral arteries to facilitate continuous haemodynamic monitoring (e.g. blood-pressure) and frequent blood sampling. Hence, effective ICU treatment is dependent on the survival and function of arterial catheters.

However, arterial catheters are not without risk: 25% of arterial catheters fail prior to completion of ICU treatment due to occlusion, dislodgement, local inflammation, or catheter-associated bloodstream infection. Failed and infected devices need to be removed and replaced, which means repeated painful needlesticks for the patient, increased infection risk, and interruptions to treatment which negatively affects patient outcomes.

Current guidelines for arterial catheter management vary and lack a rigorous evidence base. More research is required to ascertain indigence and impact of arterial catheter related harm in ICU, compare effectiveness of different practices and products to minimise this harm, and identify optimal strategies to implement evidence in to practice.

Research activities

This research program could include systematic review, large cohort study analysis, staff or patient survey, and pilot trial studies.

Outcomes

This program of research aims to:

• quantify incidence and impact of arterial catheter-related harm in intensive care
• develop and evaluate arterial catheter insertion 'bundle' of best practice
• compare effectiveness of different dressing and securement products too reduce arterial catheter related infection and failure
• determine cost effectiveness of interventions
• understand staff and consumer end-user experience of arterial catheter (or general vascular access) related care in intensive care.

Skills and experience

This program of work will suit a healthcare professional with background in intensive care and interest in optimising vascular access care and outcomes

Contact supervisor for more information.

Scholarships

You may be eligible to apply for a research scholarship.

Explore our research scholarships

Keywords

• intensive care
• vascular access
• arterial catheter
• patient safety
• cost-effectiveness

Contact

Contact the supervisor for more information.