Brushing has made a sweeping change: use of the endoluminal FAS brush in haemodialysis central venous catheter management.
Common usage of central venous catheter (CVC) access for haemodialysis has presented the haemodialysis nurse with the challenge of maintaining CVCs as a viable form of access. The major complications seen with CVC use are obstruction and infection. A project was undertaken to identify the usefulness of the endoluminal fibrin analysis system (FAS) brush as an intervention in haemodialysis CVC management. The aims of the study were to identify: the reasons for brushing CVCs and the number of occasions brushing is indicated; how successful brushing is in unblocking and improving flow from CVCs, and the length of time the catheter remains patent following successful declotting. Seventeen patients were found suitable for CVC brushing and divided into two groups depending on the indication for brushing. In the group in which the catheter was brushed to restore flow, 73 per cent of brushings were successful, and in 50 per cent of those cases the CVC remained patent for 6 weeks. Sixty per cent of catheter brushings to improve flow were successful, and in 50 per cent of the CVCs flow was sustained over a 6-week period. Overall, the findings support the use of the endoluminal FAS brush for the applications trialled.
Acute Care Nursing Research Unit, St George Hospital, Kogorah, New South Wales.
S A
SA
Tranter
J
J
Donoghue
D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000451:nursing*; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000451:nursing*; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000451:nursing* / Q000628:therapy; D013041:Specialties, Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D014654:Vascular Patency