State of the science of oncology vascular access devices.
OBJECTIVE
To present an overview of long-term vascular access devices (VADs), current maintenance care, controversies of care, and the need for VAD research.


METHODS
Current research and published literature.


CONCLUSIONS
Over the last four decades, VADs have become a standard part of caring for patients in all clinical settings. Despite the common use of VADs, current standardized procedures for maintenance care and managing complications are not available.


CONCLUSIONS
The key to establishing evidence-based practice is to create a network of researchers, clinicians, and policy makers in a consortium to secure funding and implement multisite research. Only through research will traditional practice be challenged.
Camp-Sorrell
Dawn
D
University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing, USA. onpdawn@bellsouth.net
D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000451:nursing; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000451:nursing; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000600:supply & distribution; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004867:Equipment Design; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D008283:Maintenance; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015399:Nursing Research; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012107:Research Design; D017592:Skin Care / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing / Q000592:standards