[Assessment of the efficacy of the implementation of an arterial cannulation protocol as quality assurance method].
OBJECTIVE
Arterial cannulation is a usual technique in intensive care. With this study, we aim to assess the efficacy of the implementation of an arterial cannulation protocol.


METHODS
The study was performed in several phases: a first cross-sectional cut-off to assess the technique performed and the incidence of complications, without knowledge of the study by the staff involved. There was a second phase of development and explanation to the unit staff of a protocol performed based on the results obtained and the available evidence. The third phase was of reevaluation of the results after the implementation of the protocol by a new cross-sectional cut-off without knowledge of the staff.


RESULTS
In phase 1, a total of 100 arterial cannulations were studied, obtaining the existence of a large amount of catheters not fixed by suture (44%) and a significant percentage of cases of accidental withdrawal (15%) as fundamental results. The protocol was implemented to solve these problems. It stressed the suture of all the cannalized catheters. Data on 80 patients and 133 catheters have now been gathered. The percentage of catheters that were sutured according to the protocol indication was 98%, significantly greater than phase 1 (p< 0.0001). The number of catheters whose withdrawal reason was accident removal was also significantly inferior (4%; p = 0.002).


CONCLUSIONS
The implementation of an arterial cannulation protocol with a high rate of follow-up by the nursing staff has achieved a reduction in the incidence of iatrogenies due to the technique.
Amo Priego
María Dolores
MD
Area de Cuidados Críticos-Reanimación, Fundación Hospital de Alcorcón, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain.
Carmona Monge
Francisco Javier
FJ
Gómez Nieves
Isabel
I
Bonilla Zafra
Gregorio
G
Gordo Vidal
Federico
F
D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000451:nursing* / Q000592:standards; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005263:Femoral Artery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D017534:Radial Artery; D013997:Time Factors