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Nurse-led central venous catheter service: Christie experience.

Gopal K, Fitzsimmons L, Lawrance JA.

Christie Hospital, Wilmslow Road, Manchester M20 4BX, UK.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the success and complication rate of Nurse-led subclavian central venous catheter (CVC) insertion using the landmark technique. A prospective study was performed on all subclavian CVC insertion between 13/01/03 to 01/07/03. Data recorded included indication for catheter insertion, type of catheter, complications during the procedure and patient satisfaction. A total of 348 subclavian cuffed tunnelled catheters were inserted over the study period. The age group ranged from 31 years to 84 years with a mean age of 53 years. This included 192 women and 156 men. The majority of CVC insertions were through the right subclavian (79%) and were single lumen (76%). In total, complications were encountered in 48 patients (14%). These included misplaced tip in 29 (8%), arterial puncture in 16 (4%), pneumothorax in 3 (1%) and the procedure failed in 3 (1%). Of these multiple complications were seen in 3 (1%). No interventions were required for the pneumothoraces or for the arterial punctures. In conclusion, nurse-led subclavian CVC placements using the landmark technique are both safe and effective.

PMID: 16641413 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]