title: Care and management of patients with skin-tunnelled catheters.
abstract: Central venous access devices (CVADs) are used in secondary and, increasingly, primary care settings to provide access to the central circulation. Skin-tunnelled catheters (STCs) are frequently used as the vascular access device of choice, particularly for patients receiving chemotherapy and for those who require long-term access for repeated transfusions. Despite the increased use of STCs, practice varies between trusts and community teams. This article provides an overview of the care and management of patients with STCs.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Keele University, Staffordshire. j.green@nur.keele.ac.uk
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Green
mesh_terms: D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000451:nursing* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000075202:Contraindications; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004868:Equipment Failure; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D018579:Patient Selection; D017592:Skin Care / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006113:United Kingdom