title: Nurse-led central venous catheter service: Christie experience.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Christie Hospital, Wilmslow Road, Manchester M20 4BX, UK.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gopal
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fitzsimmons
authors.forename: J A L
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lawrance
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000451:nursing*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013350:Subclavian Vein