title: Controversial issues in the care and maintenance of vascular access devices in the long-term/subacute care client.
abstract: The aging population provides a unique challenge for the initiation and maintenance of infusion therapy. This article will highlight three common but controversial issues that have been observed by this author in the long-term/subacute care realm of infusion therapy: 1) the failure to maintain a sterile dressing over the catheter insertion site; 2) the use of heparin to maintain patency of the peripheral infusion device; and 3) the routine replacement of peripheral i.v. catheters. Several factors that contribute to the controversies will be discussed, along with some associated negative and positive outcomes.
authors.affiliation: American Pharmaceutical Services, 14450 Trinity Boulevard, Suite 200, Fort Worth, TX 76155. kgsterba@yahoo.com
authors.forename: K G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Sterba
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001458:Bandages; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019467:Subacute Care / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D006493:Heparin