title: Evaluating safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of PICC securement by subcutaneously anchored stabilization device.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In recent years, a large variety of medical devices has become available. Every device must be efficient, safe and cost effective, but it is not enough to use it properly without considering the environment in which it will be employed. We applied this kind of analysis to subcutaneously anchored sutureless devices (SAS).
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a one-center prospective observational study on safety, effectiveness and cost effectiveness of an SAS device (SecurAcath, Interrad) for securement of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) in 30 adult cancer patients with treatment expected to be >60 days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During 4963 catheter days and after 709 dressing changes (documented by 373 pictures), the use of SAS was associated with no episode of PICC dislodgement and a lower incidence of complications if compared to traditional securement devices. Insertion, management and removal of SAS were not associated with an increased pain perception by the patients. Cost effectiveness was particularly evident for long dwelling PICCs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study suggests that SAS is a highly effective and cost-effective method for securement of medium- to long-term PICCs with expected duration longer than 30 days. The introduction of SAS had a positive impact on our healthcare organization.
authors.affiliation:  ASST Melegnano e della Martesana, Vizzolo Predabissi, Milan - Italy.
authors.forename: Pietro Antonio
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Zerla
authors.affiliation:  ASST Melegnano e della Martesana, Vizzolo Predabissi, Milan - Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Canelli
authors.affiliation:  ASST Melegnano e della Martesana, Vizzolo Predabissi, Milan - Italy.
authors.forename: Lidia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cerne
authors.affiliation:  Hospital Pharmacy, ASST Melegnano e della Martesana, Milan - Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Caravella
authors.affiliation:  Hospital Pharmacy, ASST Melegnano e della Martesana, Milan - Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gilardini
authors.affiliation:  SITRA, ASST Melegnano e della Martesana, Milan - Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Luca
authors.affiliation:  Oncology, ASST Melegnano e della Martesana, Milan - Italy.
authors.forename: Ana Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Aricisteanu
authors.affiliation:  Oncology, ASST Melegnano e della Martesana, Milan - Italy.
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Venezia
mesh_terms: D061605:Administration, Intravenous; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D055499:Catheter-Related Infections / Q000191:economics / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D020878:Device Removal; D004867:Equipment Design; D004868:Equipment Failure; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013673:Technology Assessment, Biomedical; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents