title: Evaluation of the use of a stabilization device to improve the quality of care in patients with peripherally inserted central catheters.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This project evaluated the implementation of use of the StatLock stabilization device (Bard Access Systems, Inc, Salt Lake City, Utah) for peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) in pediatric cardiology patients. The aim was to implement the use of the StatLock device and evaluate its effects on the following 4 outcomes: incidence of dislodgement, infection, catheter dwell time, and the number of catheter replacements. The primary goal was to determine whether the StatLock device offered advantages over tape and sutures.
  
  
  METHODS
  A quality improvement design was used to evaluate whether the use of the StatLock stabilization device for PICC securement on 30 pediatric cardiology patients decreased the number of PICC complications compared with 30 historical comparison patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The comparison group had a significantly higher number of catheter dislodgements (n = 16; 59.3%) than the StatLock group (n = 8; 30.8%; P = .035). The comparison group did not have a significantly higher number of catheter replacements (n = 16; 59.3%) than the StatLock group (n = 10; 34.5%; P = .10). No significant differences were found in the rate of infection or in the catheter dwell time between the 2 groups (StatLock group, mean ± SD = 33.13 ± 22.71 days; comparison group, mean ± SD = 28.10 ± 24.83 days; P > .20).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of the StatLock device resulted in better outcomes when compared with the use of sutures, and it provided a more effective way to stabilize and secure PICCs.
authors: Jennifer Waterhouse is Clinical Instructor, Department of Surgery, and Nurse Practitioner, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, 165 Ashley Ave, Charleston, SC 29425 (jeb71@musc.edu). Varsha Bandisode is Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, and Director, Pediatric Cardiac Cath Lab, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina. Debra Brandon is Associate Professor, Duke University School of Nursing, Durham, North Carolina. Meredith Olson was Registered Nurse, Pediatric Cardiology Department, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, at the time this article was prepared; she is now Registered Nurse, The Charleston Ear, Nose, Throat Surgical Center, Charleston, South Carolina. Sharron L. Docherty is Associate Professor, Duke University School of Nursing, Durham, North Carolina.
authors: Jennifer
authors: J
authors: Waterhouse
authors: Varsha
authors: V
authors: Bandisode
authors: Debra
authors: D
authors: Brandon
authors: Meredith
authors: M
authors: Olson
authors: Sharron L
authors: SL
authors: Docherty
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011787:Quality of Health Care