Management of non-infectious central venous access device complications.
OBJECTIVE
To review the central venous access device (VAD) complications of inadvertent device damage, device malfunction, and various causes of mechanical occlusion and to describe the limitations of VAD complication data.


METHODS
Journal articles, legal cases, case reports, manufacturers' product information, personal experience.


CONCLUSIONS
The available data on VAD complications are difficult to interpret and apply in practice because of the many limitations of the studies that have been conducted (eg, single-institution, mixed patient populations, inconsistent measurement of complications). However, considerable information is known about the signs and symptoms of non-thrombotic, non-infectious VAD complications and their management.


CONCLUSIONS
Oncology nurses routinely use central VADs and are on the frontline for detecting VAD complications. Well-informed nurses can serve as patient advocates and help ensure that patients' VADs are functional and safe to use.
Schulmeister
Lisa
L
LisaSchulmeister@hotmail.com
D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000451:nursing; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004868:Equipment Failure; D004869:Equipment Safety; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D012107:Research Design; D017751:Safety Management; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014680:Veins / Q000293:injuries