title: A point prevalence study of cancer nursing practices for managing intravascular devices in an Australian tertiary cancer center.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The use of intravascular devices is associated with a number of potential complications. Despite a number of evidence-based clinical guidelines in this area, there continues to be nursing practice discrepancies. This study aims to examine nursing practice in a cancer care setting to identify nursing practice and areas for improvement respective to best available evidence.
  
  
  METHODS
  A point prevalence survey was undertaken in a tertiary cancer care centre in Queensland, Australia. On a randomly selected day, four nurses assessed intravascular device related nursing practices and collected data using a standardized survey tool.
  
  
  RESULTS
  58 inpatients (100%) were assessed. Forty-eight (83%) had a device in situ, comprising 14 Peripheral Intravenous Catheters (29.2%), 14 Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters (29.2%), 14 Hickman catheters (29.2%) and six Port-a-Caths (12.4%). Suboptimal outcomes such as incidences of local site complications, incorrect/inadequate documentation, lack of flushing orders, and unclean/non intact dressings were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study has highlighted a number of intravascular device related nursing practice discrepancies compared with current hospital policy. Education and other implementation strategies can be applied to improve nursing practice. Following education strategies, it will be valuable to repeat this survey on a regular basis to provide feedback to nursing staff and implement strategies to improve practice. More research is required to provide evidence to clinical practice with regards to intravascular device related consumables, flushing technique and protocols.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Care Services, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Butterfield Street, Herston, Q4029 Queensland, Australia. Electronic address: Emily_L_Russell@health.qld.gov.au.
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.affiliation: Cancer Care Services, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Butterfield Street, Herston, Q4029 Queensland, Australia; Centre for Health Practice Innovation, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Raymond Javan
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Centre for Clinical Nursing, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Queensland, Australia; Centre for Health Practice Innovation, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Marsh
authors.affiliation: Centre for Clinical Nursing, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Queensland, Australia; School of Nursing and Midwifery, The University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: New
mesh_terms: D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000451:nursing*; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000451:nursing*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D057184:Practice Patterns, Nurses' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D058996:Quality Improvement; D011793:Queensland; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers
keywords: Cancer nursing; Central venous access device; Central venous catheters; Intravascular device; Nursing practice; Oncology nursing; Peripheral catheters; Point prevalence study