Novel Strategy to Encourage Early Removal of Central Venous Catheters

Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) remains a serious problem contributing to patient morbidity and mortality. These potentially preventable complications have high costs. Significant interventions focusing on insertion of catheter and care and maintenance protocols have been helpful in reducing CLABSI rates. One component that remains a challenge is early/appropriate removal of central venous catheters (CVCs). The longer the central line remains in the patient, the increased chance of developing a CLABSI.

The study design is case-controlled with a control group composed of patients admitted in the previous year who received a CVC as part of the treatment plan and who did not received a midline catheter.The intervention phase of this study will involve placement of a standard of care, FDA approved midline catheter in patients that have a CVC. The Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) treating team will be consulted prior to approaching the patient. Written informed consent will be obtained from the patient or legal authorized representative prior to enrollment. The midline catheters will be inserted by the vascular access team within 24 hours of CVC insertion. Midline catheters will be assessed daily for function, phlebitis, and infection for up to 7 days. Mechanical complications or premature line failures will be tracked. Data specific to blood sampling will be collected daily. If the catheter was identified to have failed during follow-up assessment the date and time of failure and the reason for failure will be documented. If the catheter failed or was removed prior to the follow-up assessment then the VAD failure time and the assessment of failure and reason for line removal will be obtained through chart review. For all failed catheters, re-insertion attempt data will be tracked through the medical record. If the patient is discharged prior to the time of follow-up assessment then the time of discharge will be documented and the VAD will be presumed functional until time of discharge unless otherwise noted in the chart. Some patients may leave the hospital with VAD in place for additional intravenous therapies. This information will be noted, but these patients will not receive follow-up assessments post-discharge for the research.If the patient has the midline longer than 7 days, the status of the line will be assessed via documentation in the electronic health record (EHR). The decision to remove the CVC is up to the treating physician.

Midline catheters will be assessed by research staff daily for usage. The medication administration record will be queried for all medications given through each catheter. Specifically, at the bedside we will assess whether the midline catheter is being used for any purpose. Of interest is the use of vesicants through the midline, medications that are generally given via central line or considered caustic to the vessel will be noted in both groups. Number of doses will be recorded.

Rates of symptomatic upper extremity superficial venous thrombosis (SVT) and deep venous thrombosis (DVT) rates, as confirmed by sonography will be calculated. Radiology interpretations will be reviewed for findings consistent with catheter-related symptomatic upper extremity venous thrombosis (CR-UEVT). This review will occur thirty days post patient discharge. Symptoms and rationale for imaging will be documented. If the patient is diagnosed with thrombophlebitis, the location of the thrombus will also be documented.

Infection rate will be tracked using confirmed catheter-related blood stream infection data from the surveillance team within the epidemiology department. The team utilizes the CDC definition of laboratory-confirmed blood-stream infection (LCBSI). The IV team will assess all IV insertions sites for infection.