Is Intravenous Access Necessary in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Ophthalmologic Examinations Under Anesthesia? A Prospective Observational Study.

Purpose: Ophthalmologic examinations under anesthesia (EUA) were employed in pediatric patients due to lower cooperation levels and associated discomfort during comprehensive eye examinations. There remains uncertainty regarding the necessity of intravenous (IV) placement during general anesthesia. The primary aim of the study is to investigate the impact of general anesthesia, with and without IV access, on operation time in pediatric patients undergoing EUA. Secondary objectives include assessing cardiovascular and respiratory complications and measuring parental satisfaction in both the IV and No IV groups. Patients and Methods: This prospective observational analytic study, conducted as a cross-sectional study, took place between October 2019 and October 2020, in Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Thailand. We included healthy pediatric patients aged 2 to 7 years undergoing elective ambulatory EUA. Results: Eighty-two patients, with 41 in the IV group and 41 in the No IV group, were enrolled and included for analysis. The No IV group showed a significantly shorter median operation time (7.99 (6.63, 9.36) minutes) compared to the IV group (10.9 (9.05, 12.28) minutes), with a median difference of -2.74 minutes (95% CI -3.76, -1.69, p < 0.001). In both groups, no cardiovascular or respiratory complications occurred, and there was no need for emergency IV access or drug administration. Children without IV access had higher parental satisfaction in extreme satisfaction (100% vs 48.78%; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Providing general anesthesia for EUA without IV access in healthy pediatric patients, leading to shorter operation times and heightened parental satisfaction, can be conducted safely. Clinical Trial Registration Number: The trial registration number is TCTR20191021001 from the Thai Clinical Trials Registry.

Effect of a Collaborative Medical-Nursing Catheter Removal Protocol on Incidence of Urinary Tract Infections in Urology Patients: A Retrospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: Urology patients are often placed with a catheter following surgery. Hence, a high-quality and appropriate management and removal programme can considerably reduce catheter-associated complications such as urinary tract infections and improve patient comfort. This retrospective study investigated the impact of a collaborative medical-nursing catheter removal protocol on reducing the incidence of urinary tract infections in urological surgery patients. METHODS: Patients who underwent partial nephrectomy at our hospital between January 2021 and December 2022 were enrolled and allocated to a control and an observation group based on the method of urinary catheter removal. A physician was solely responsible for monitoring, evaluating, and removing the catheter in the control group, whereas a physician and nurses performed these catheter management activities in the observation group. The two groups were compared in terms of urinary tract infections, urinary tract irritation and hematuria signs, pain levels, and catheter retention time. RESULTS: A total of 178 patients were included, among which 88 were divided into the control group and 90 into the observation group according to their corresponding urinary catheter removal method entered into the medical records system. The general characteristics of the two groups were similar (p > 0.05). However, the rates of urinary tract infections and urinary tract irritation and hematuria signs in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (1.11% vs. 9.09%, χ2 = 5.902, p = 0.037; 5.55% vs. 15.91%, χ2 = 4.159, p = 0.041, respectively). The observation group also exhibited lower levels of urinary pain within 1 h post-catheter removal and shorter total catheter retention time than the control group (t = 2.497, p = 0.013; t = 2.316, p = 0.022, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Collaborative medical-nursing catheter removal protocols for patients undergoing partial nephrectomy may effectively alleviate urinary pain, decrease the incidence of urinary tract infections and irritation and hematuria signs, and shorten catheter retention time, underscoring the clinical significance of its implementation in this specific population.

Increase in PVC-BSI during the second COVID-19 pandemic year: analysis of catheter and patient characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Increasing nosocomial infections during the COVID-19 pandemic have been reported. However, data describing peripheral venous catheter associated bloodstream infections (PVC-BSI) are limited. AIMS: To describe the epidemiology and risk factors for PVC-BSI during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We conducted retrospective cohort study of prospectively collected PVC-BSI data in a 2100 bed hospital network in Switzerland. Adult patients with a PVC inserted between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2021 were included. Risk factors for PVC-BSI were identified through descriptive analysis of patient and catheter characteristics, and univariable marginal Cox models. RESULTS: 206,804 PVCs and 37 PVC-BSI were analysed. Most PVC-BSI were attributed to catheters inserted in the Emergency department (76%) or surgical wards (22%). PVC-BSI increased in 2021 compared to 2020 (hazard ratio 2021 vs. 2020 = 2.73; 95% confidence interval 1.19-6.29), with a numerically higher rate of Staphylococcus aureus (1/10, 10%, vs. 5/27, 19%) and polymicrobial infection (0/10, 0% vs. 4/27, 15%). PVC insertions, patient characteristics, and catheter characteristics remained similar across the study period. PVC-BSI risk was associated with admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), and use of wide gauge catheter ( < = 16G). CONCLUSION: Increased PVC-BSI during the COVID-19 pandemic was not explained by catheter or patient factors alone, and may result from system-wide changes. PVC-BSI events are primarily attributed to acute care settings, including the emergency department, surgical wards, and the ICU.

A retrospective study of the safety and efficacy of peritoneal dialysis catheter placement under combined local infiltration anesthesia and monitored anesthesia care.

OBJECTIVE: Given the lack of global consensus on anesthesia selection for peritoneal dialysis catheter (PDC) placement via open surgery, this study investigates the safety and efficacy of combining local infiltration anesthesia (LIA) with monitored anesthesia care (MAC) in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). METHODS: This retrospective analysis of ESRD patients who underwent open surgical placement of PDC in the Department of Nephrology, the First Affiliated Hospital of the Army Medical University from 1 August 2020 to 31 May 2022. Patients were categorized into two groups based on anesthesia method: LIA group and LIA + MA group. MA was defined as preoperative sedation (0.2-0.7 µg/kg/h) with dexmedetomidine injection (Huidrican trade name, DEX), and intraoperative analgesia with dexrazoxane injection (Garonin trade name, DEZ) as appropriate according to the patients' pain scores. We compared the general clinical data of the two groups of patients, the changes in blood pressure and heart rate during the whole operation, the intraoperative and postoperative pain, the total duration of the operation and the immediate postoperative complications. RESULTS: The study included 123 patients (59 in the LIA + MAC group and 64 in the LIA group). The LIA + MA group exhibited lower pain scores measured by Visual Analogue Scale(VAS) during surgery (skin incision, subcutaneous adipose tissue dissection, anterior fascia, muscle traction, posterior fascia, peritoneum, and catheterization) compared to the LIA group(p<0.05). In terms of surgical incisions, to intraoperative pain scores (VRS), the LIA + MA group showed higher score level I and lower score level II compared to the LIA group (p = 0.002, 0.004, respectively). The LIA + MA group experienced lower postoperative resting pain (NRS) and VAS than the LIA group (p = 0.001,0.003, respectively). The surgical duration for the LIA + MA group was shorter than that of the LIA group (p<0.001). Preoperative systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP and DBP) were higher in the LIA + MA group compared to the LIA group (p<0.001,<0.001, respectively). Postoperative heart rate and DBP were lower in the LIA + MA group (p<0.001, 0.004, respectively). The LIA + MA group exhibited greater changes in heart rate, SBP, and DBP during and after surgery compared to the LIA group (p = 0.009, <0.001,<0.001, respectively). In terms of immediate postoperative complications, the proportion of patients requiring analgesics within 24 h post-surgery was significantly lower in the LIA + MA group (p = 0.031). CONCLUSION: Open surgery for PDC placement under LIA + MAC is both safe and effective.

Peripheral intravenous therapy infiltration and extravasation (PIVIE) risks in 11 006 paediatric surgery inpatients in China: a retrospective observational study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the risk factors associated with peripheral intravenous therapy infiltration and extravasation (PIVIE) in paediatric surgery inpatients. METHODS: This retrospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary general hospital in Sichuan, China. Logistic regression was employed to identify independent risk factors predictive of PIVIE. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was undertaken to determine the relationship between the occurrence of PIVIE and the duration of that event (survival time). RESULTS: This study included 11 006 paediatric surgery inpatients and 19 771 peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs). The incidence of PIVIE was 16.93% (3347 of 19 771). The following were significant predictors of PIVIE: sex (odds ratio [OR] 0.834; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.772, 0.900); age (OR 0.945; 95% CI, 0.934, 0.956); disease classification (OR 0.962, 95% CI 0.950, 0.976); puncture site (OR 1.061; 95% CI 1.044, 1.078); and indwelling time (OR 1.257; 95% CI 1.215, 1.300). CONCLUSIONS: Sex, age, type of disease, puncture site and indwelling time were risk factors for PIVIE. The puncture site should be effectively assessed and accurately selected. Informed judgements should be based on the child's sex, age and medical condition, so that the appropriate preventive measures to minimize the risk of PIVIE can be implemented.

The NAVIGATE project: A GloVANet-WoCoVA position statement on the nomenclature for vascular access devices.

The field of vascular access has witnessed significant advancements in recent years, improving healthcare delivery across various patient populations through the use of diverse intravascular access devices. Despite these innovations, a critical issue remains: the lack of a globally standardized set of descriptors for these devices. This gap impedes clear communication and coordination within the healthcare community. Recognizing the necessity for standardized terminology, the Global Vascular Access Network (GloVANet), in collaboration with the World Congress of Vascular Access (WoCoVA), initiated the NAVIGATE project (NomenclAture Via Integrated Global Advancements in Terminology Efficiencies). The aim of the project is to propose a clear and practical nomenclature for current vascular access devices, encompassing both central, peripheral venous, and arterial access devices. A panel of international vascular access experts from several clinical domains was selected by the Scientific Committee of WoCoVA to develop a position statement around vascular access device nomenclature. Following a comprehensive literature review, a consensus was reached using a modified Delphi process. The outcome of this collaborative effort is a WoCoVA/GloVANet position statement, which provides standardized nomenclature for vascular access devices. The adoption of unified terminology brings several benefits, firstly, it ensures clarity, reproducibility, and comparability when reporting in clinical studies, and secondly, reduces ambiguous or imprecise terms in communication between healthcare professionals in clinical practice.

A scoping review to map the implications of reusing single-use endotracheal suctioning catheter practices in mechanically ventilated patients.

INTRODUCTION: Currently there is limited evidence of the frequency of using endotracheal suctioning catheters. Due to limited resources, many low- and middle-income countries still reuse single-use suction catheters multiple times during the length of a nursing shift. This scoping review was conducted to map the impact of reusing single-use endotracheal suctioning catheters practices on mechanically ventilated patients' outcomes. METHODS: The scoping review was conducted in accordance with the JBI methodology for scoping reviews. Four databases systematically searched using predefined keywords (CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, GLOBAL HEALTH). Key electronic journals were hand searched, while reference lists of included documents and grey literature sources were screened thoroughly. Two independent reviewers completed the study selection and data extraction. A third reviewer made the final decision on any disagreements disputed records. RESULTS: In total 22 articles were identified, and 14 non-duplicate records were screened, and 8 articles were screened for full text. Six articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Differences were observed on the findings of included studies, two studies identified that reusing single-use suction catheter might increases the risk of respiratory infection, while two other studies identified no difference in contamination rate between single used or multiple-used catheters. One study indicated that reusing single-use catheters are a safe and cost-effective intervention and finally one study reported that reusing single-use catheters might reduce incidence of ventilator associated pneumonia if flushed with chlorhexidine after suctioning. CONCLUSIONS: There is no strong evidence of the frequency of using endotracheal suction catheters. Further research is needed comparing single-used versus multiple-used endotracheal suction catheters in mechanically ventilated patients. IMPLICATION FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE: Nurses in resource-limited countries can follow their hospital policy regarding the changing frequency of endotracheal suction catheters due to lack of a robust evidence. Flushing suction circuits with chlorhexidine while reusing single-use catheters might reduce the risk of respiratory infections in these hospitals.

Recent Advancements in Prostate Catheters and Stents for Management of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The prevalence of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is rising, however, current treatment options present severe complications and limit patient's quality of life. Accordingly, advancements in prostatic catheter and stent designs for use in treating lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in BPH patients have largely expanded in the past five years and we aim to provide an exhaustive summary of recent outcomes. RECENT FINDINGS: The dual dilation and paxlitaxel eluting Optilume BPH Catheter System enhances promise in catheter-based treatments, providing the longest sustained increase in max urinary flow rate and decrease in post-void residual volume compared to alternative MISTs. Additionally, use of iTiND, along with recent advancements in temporary (EXIME, Prodeon Urocross) and permanent (Zenflow Spring, Butterfly, and ClearRing) stent designs, have demonstrated rapid, lasting, and low-cost LUTS relief with sustained sexual function. Minimally invasive solutions that offer in-office treatment, rapid symptom relief, shorter recovery times, and preservation of sexual function hold great promise in improving outcomes in managing BPH patients with LUTS.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty is safe and feasible for reinsertion of tunneled cuffed catheters in the right internal jugular vein.

This study explores the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for reinserting tunneled cuffed catheters (TCC) with a Dacron sheath in the right internal jugular vein (RIJV) in hemodialysis patients with a history of prior RIJV catheterization and subsequent stenosis or occlusion of the RIJV, right innominate vein, and superior vena cava. Clinical data from 21 hemodialysis patients with dysfunctional vascular access who underwent PTA for reinsertion of TCC in the RIJVs from July 2020 to June 2023 at the First and Second Affiliated Hospitals of Bengbu Medical College were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical efficacy during hospitalization, postoperative TCC blood flow, and related complications during follow-up were observed. The procedure was successful in all 21 patients, with postoperative TCC blood flow meeting daily hemodialysis requirements. Only one case experienced acute bleeding with contrast agent extravasation at the intersection of the left and right innominate veins during sharp recanalization. No severe complications, such as arrhythmias, vascular rupture, pneumothorax, mediastinal hematoma, or pericardial tamponade, occurred during the procedures. Upon discharge, all patients exhibited satisfactory TCC blood flow (247.14 ± 11.46 ml/min). Postoperatively, TCC blood flow ranged between 200 and 260 ml/min, meeting the demands of regular hemodialysis. For patients with a history of repeated TCC or non-tunneled catheter (NTC) placement in the RIJV, reinserting TCC in the RIJVs through PTA is a safe and reliable technique. It effectively utilizes vascular resources and prevents vascular resource depletion associated with changing the venous catheter placement location.

Adherence to Evidence-Based Guidelines and Implications When Designing Electronic Documentation for Urinary Catheters.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the point prevalence and the rate of adherence to evidence-based guidelines for patients who had indwelling urinary catheters in three Australian acute care hospitals. DESIGN: A cross-sectional observational design was used. METHODS: A multisite cross-sectional observational design was utilised in three acute hospitals across Australia. Data were collected from each site in a single day directly from observation of the patient, the bedside notes and medical records. The data collected included observations of clinical care and scrutiny of the documentation of the insertion details and catheter care using best practice guidelines. RESULTS: Of the 1730 patients audited, 47% were female. The mean point prevalence of catheters in situ across three sites was 12.9%. Correct documentation compliance was reported to be, on average, 40%. Documentation was significantly better when a template was available to guide information recorded: this was regardless of whether it was hard copy or electronic. Overall, clinical care compliance with best practices was 77%. Of note for improvement was the fixing of the urinary catheter to the thigh in highly dependent patients. CONCLUSION: It was identified that there is a need for improvement across all three sites: specifically regarding securement of the urinary catheter to the patient's thigh within the ICU. In addition, it was identified that there is a need for documentation of the urine bag change in ward areas. Documentation may be improved by incorporating templates into healthcare documentation systems in the future. Further work is needed to ensure nurses are aware of the adverse effects of urinary catheters and thus, the need to adhere to best practice guidelines. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: There has been no patient or public contribution. REPORTING METHOD: We have adhered to the STROBE guidelines for reporting.

Comparative study between the halfway technique and the standard technique for exchange of tunneled hemodialysis catheter.

OBJECTIVES: When indicated, tunneled hemodialysis catheters are usually inserted using the standard technique but, this technique has its complications. The halfway method is performed by exchange of an already-inserted dialysis catheter (tunneled or non-tunneled) to a tunneled one over a guidewire mounted via the old catheter. In this study, we aimed at evaluating the feasibility, safety, and durability of halfway method in comparison to the standard technique (de novo puncture). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective study was conducted during the period from May 2020 till May 2022 and included 87 patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on regular hemodialysis (HD) in need for insertion new tunneled dialysis catheters instead of temporary or malfunctioning tunneled ones. According to the technique of catheter insertion, these patients were divided into two groups: group A (the halfway technique: catheters were exchanged over guidewires under fluoroscopic control; 48 patients) and group B (the standard technique: via de novo ultrasound-guided vein puncture; 39 patients). Instant, delayed complications and 12-months patency rates were reported and analyzed. RESULTS: The frequency of peri-operative bleeding complications was better in the halfway group with comparable infection rate and late catheter dysfunction results between the two groups. One year patency rates were 87.5% in halfway technique group compared to 79.5% in standard technique group, yet without statistical significance. However, there was a statistically significant shorter operative time in halfway group (15.54 ± 2.6 min vs 26.97 ± 5.6 min, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The halfway technique may be recommended over the standard technique of tunneled catheter insertion due to shorter operative time, lower rate of hematoma formation, with non-inferior 1-year patency rates and comparable technical success and infection rates. The advantage of access sites preservation for future demand makes this technique of great value to this group of ESRD patients.

In Vivo Feasibility Study: Evaluating Autonomous Data-Driven Robotic Needle Trajectory Correction in MRI-Guided Transperineal Procedures.

This study addresses the targeting challenges in MRI-guided transperineal needle placement for prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis and treatment, a procedure where accuracy is crucial for effective outcomes. We introduce a parameter-agnostic trajectory correction approach incorporating a data-driven closed-loop strategy by radial displacement and an FBG-based shape sensing to enable autonomous needle steering. In an animal study designed to emulate clinical complexity and assess MRI compatibility through a PCa mock biopsy procedure, our approach demonstrated a significant improvement in targeting accuracy (p<0.05), with mean target error of only 2.2 ± 1.9 mm on first insertion attempts, without needle reinsertions. To the best of our knowledge, this work represents the first in vivo evaluation of robotic needle steering with FBG-sensor feedback, marking a significant step towards its clinical translation.

Percutaneous Insertion of Peritoneal Dialysis Catheters.

Patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis encounter significant challenges in care coordination and experience higher complication rates. Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is an evidence-based alternative that significantly improves patients' quality of life.Peritoneal dialysis catheter insertion methods include open surgical, laparoscopic, peritoneoscopic, and percutaneous image-guided approaches. Despite comparable success rates and cost-effectiveness, the US healthcare system underutilizes the percutaneous method.This article aims to provide an overview of the essential components of the technique of percutaneous peritoneal dialysis catheter insertion, as well as address patient selection nuances and considerations for urgent-start dialysis. Additionally, it reviews the outcomes and complications associated with image-guided percutaneous PD catheter placement, advocating for its wider adoption.

Laparoscopic colon surgery: time to leave the urinary catheter in the operating room?

INTRODUCTION: 'Fast track' guidelines have incorporated multimodal measures to optimize perioperative outcomes in surgery, with laparoscopy being a pivotal component for its advantages in early recovery. In this setting, current recommendations regarding the use of a urinary catheter suggest its removal within the first 24-hours postoperatively.  However, few studies have assessed the feasibility of leaving the operating room without it. The purpose of this study is to compare the perioperative outcomes of patients undergoing elective laparoscopic colonic resections leaving the operating room with and without a urinary catheter. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted utilizing prospectively collected data from patients undergoing elective colon resections over a 17-month period. The patients were classified into two groups based on the presence or absence of a urinary catheter upon leaving the operating room, and subsequently, their perioperative outcomes were compared. RESULTS: A total of 107 patients met the inclusion criteria (n = 28 with a urinary catheter and n = 79 without). Cancer was the most prevalent diagnosis (83.2%), and right hemicolectomy the most frequently performed surgery (32.7%). Two events of urinary catheter reinsertions were reported, both in the no-catheter group (0% vs 2.53%, p = 0.969), and there were no cases of urinary tract infections. The overall and severe complications rates exhibited no significant differences (25% vs. 26.6%, p = 1, and 7.14% vs. 5.06%, p = 1) and the length of stay was similar (p = 0.220). CONCLUSION: Removing the urinary catheter before leaving the operating room appears to be safe and associated with very low rates of urinary retention in selected patients undergoing laparoscopic colonic or upper rectal resections.

Development and validation of an in vitro model to study thrombin generation on the surface of catheters in platelet-poor and platelet-rich plasma.

INTRODUCTION: Coagulation activation on medical devices remains a significant problem as it can lead to dramatic thromboembolic complications. Understanding its poorly described mechanisms and finding optimal pharmacological prevention means is crucial to improve patient safety. METHODS: We developed an in vitro model to study thrombin generation (TG) initiated by the contact of plasma with the surface of catheters. Interventional cardiology catheters were cut into segments and inserted in the bottom of multi-well plates; TG was then measured with the calibrated automated thrombogram (CAT). Model performance (analytical, intra- and inter-individual variability) was investigated and compared with activation of thrombin generation by tissue factor (TF) or contact pathway activator (ellagic acid), in the presence (PRP) and absence (PPP) of platelets. Model response to unfractionated heparin (UFH) was also assessed. RESULTS: TG was greater when measured in presence of catheter segments, compared to conditions without activators. The analytical variability of the model was good (CV ≤ 5 %), both with PPP and PRP. Intra-individual variability was between 15 and 30 % with PPP and between 10 and 15 % with PRP. Inter-individual variability was between 15 and 30 % with both kinds of plasma samples. The analytical performance of the catheter-initiated TG model was equivalent to that observed when TG was initiated with TF or ellagic acid. Catheter-initiated TG was measurable until 0.1 IU/mL UFH with PPP and until 1.0 IU/mL UFH with PRP, highlighting the crucial requirement of platelets. CONCLUSION: Our model is suitable for studying TG initiated with catheters. Inhibition of TG by UFH is overestimated in the absence of platelets.

Strategies for older people living in care homes to prevent urinary tract infection: the StOP UTI realist synthesis.

Background: Urinary tract infection is the most diagnosed infection in older people. It accounts for more than 50% of antibiotic prescriptions in care homes and is a frequent reason for care home residents being hospitalised. Objective: This realist review developed and refined programme theories for preventing and recognising urinary tract infection, exploring what works, for whom and in what circumstances. Design: The review used realist synthesis to explore existing literature on the detection and prevention of urinary tract infection, complemented by stakeholder consultation. It applies to the UK context, although other healthcare systems may identify synergies in our findings. Data sources: Bibliographic databases searched included MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science Core Collection (including the Social Sciences Citation Index), Sociological Abstracts, Bibliomap and National Institute for Health and Care Research Journals Library. Data selection and extraction: Title and abstract screening were undertaken by two researchers independently of each other. Selection and assessment were based on relevance and rigour and cross-checked by a second researcher. Data extracted from the included studies were explored for explanations about how the interventions were considered to work (or not). Evidence tables were constructed to enable identification of patterns across studies that offered insight about the features of successful interventions. Data analysis and synthesis: Programme theories were constructed through a four-stage process involving scoping workshops, examination of relevant extant theory, analysis and synthesis of primary research, teacher-learner interviews and a cross-system stakeholder event. A process of abductive and retroductive reasoning was used to construct context-mechanism-outcome configurations to inform programme theory. Results: The scoping review and stakeholder engagement identified three theory areas that address the prevention and recognition of urinary tract infection and show what is needed to implement best practice. Nine context-mechanism-outcome configurations provided an explanation of how interventions to prevent and recognise urinary tract infection might work in care homes. These were (1) recognition of urinary tract infection is informed by skills in clinical reasoning, (2) decision-support tools enable a whole care team approach to communication, (3) active monitoring is recognised as a legitimate care routine, (4) hydration is recognised as a care priority for all residents, (5) systems are in place to drive action that helps residents to drink more, (6) good infection prevention practice is applied to indwelling urinary catheters, (7) proactive strategies are in place to prevent recurrent urinary tract infection, (8) care home leadership and culture fosters safe fundamental care and (9) developing knowledgeable care teams. Limitations: We adapted our approach and work to online interactions with stakeholders and as a research team because of COVID-19. This also had an impact on bringing stakeholders together at a face-to-face event at the end of the project. Studies focusing on the prevention of urinary tract infection in care home settings were predominantly from the USA and Europe where the regulatory and funding systems for the long-term care of the elderly have some differences, particularly in the USA where national reporting plays a significant role in driving improvements in care. Conclusions: Care home staff have a vital role in the prevention and recognition of urinary tract infection, which can be enabled through integration and prioritisation within the systems and routines of care homes and delivery of person-centred care. Promoting fundamental care as a means of facilitating a holistic approach to prevention and recognition of urinary tract infection helps staff to recognise how they can contribute to antimicrobial stewardship and recognition of sepsis. Challenging assumptions made by staff about the presentation of urinary tract infection is complex and requires education that facilitates 'unlearning' and questioning of low-value practices. Programmes to prevent urinary tract infection need to be co-designed and supported through active and visible leadership by care home managers with support from specialist practitioners. Future work: We will focus on co-designing tools that facilitate implementation of our findings to ensure they fit with the care home context and address some of the challenges faced by care home leaders. This will underpin action at care home and system levels. Further research is needed to better understand the perspectives of residents and family carers, the effectiveness of non-pharmacological, pharmacological and specialist practitioner interventions and non-traditional approaches to training and educating the workforce in care home settings. Study registration: This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42020201782. Funding: This award was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme (NIHR award ref: NIHR130396) and is published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 28, No. 68. See the NIHR Funding and Awards website for further award information.

This study was about how interventions to prevent and recognise urinary tract infections might work in care homes to reduce urinary tract infection in older people. We used an approach called realist synthesis. This aims to understand everything that influences how care is delivered to find out what works in particular situations and settings. We did this by talking to care home staff, residents, family carers and other experts about how to reduce urinary tract infection in older people living in care homes. We combined their experiences and ideas with the evidence from the research literature. From this, we developed three areas of focus: care approaches to support accurate recognition of urinary tract infection care approaches to prevent urinary tract infection/catheter-associated urinary tract infection making best practice happen. Our research shows that care staff are best placed to recognise subtle changes in a resident's behaviour or well-being which might indicate an infection. There are several things care staff can do to proactively help residents from developing a urinary tract infection such as prioritising residents' hydration needs and addressing poor fluid intake. Putting in place infection prevention measures such as caring for, or where possible, removing a urinary catheter can also help. Actively monitoring residents to determine reasons for changes in behaviour can increase the focus on preventative activities and help avoid inappropriate treatment. The detection and prevention of urinary tract infection in older people could be improved in several ways, including: education tailored to the roles and work of care home staff leaders of care homes providing a culture of safety and improvement where urinary tract infection is recognised as something preventable rather than unavoidable having a safe and supportive environment where staff are confident to communicate their concerns all care team members, residents and their families and other professionals linked with the home having a common language and shared goals in the recognition, prevention and diagnosis of urinary tract infection. The COVID-19 pandemic required us to adapt our approach and work mainly online both in our interactions with stakeholders and as a research team. While this provided opportunities to extend our reach to a wider group of stakeholders, it also limited some of our engagement work.

Value of projectional imaging relative to cross-sectional imaging to assess catheter tip position in the superior vena cava: Evaluation of reader variability.

OBJECTIVES: The assessment of correct positioning of central venous catheters (CVC) is of major concern to avoid complications.Vascular access associations have established the cavo-atrial junction (CAJ) as the most appropriate CVC tip location. Among the different chest X-ray (CXR) landmarks proposed for assessing tip position relative to the CAJ, only the pericardial reflection lies in the same plane as the vascular structures assessed. Although extensively used, CXR has been criticized for its difficulty in estimating catheter tip location.We aimed to evaluate the observer variability to determine tip positioning on CXR. CT imaging was used as a gold standard for tip identification. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 107 CT scans of patients wearing port access catheter devices realized at the XXX University Hospital between January and December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Distance from tip to cavo-atrial junction (DCAJ) was measured on topogram projectional imaging (PJ) and axial cross-sectional imaging (CS) by 2 × 2 observers (within and between evaluations). Observational statistics were reported using a paired t-test, repeatability coefficients (RC), and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and they were displayed comprehensively using Bland-Altman plots. RESULTS: All ICC were >0.9, indicating excellent reliability. The mean difference between observers comparing CS and PJ was 0.13 ± 0.80 cm (P = 0.10) with outer 95% confidence limits of 1.92 cm and -2.17 cm and an RC of 1.79 cm. CONCLUSION: CXR tip-position reading remains an accurate method for determining CVC localization. However, the assessment variability on CXR is plus or minus 2 cm and should be considered. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Chest X-ray (CXR) for the assessment of tip position is subject to intra-individual and inter-individual variation. On CT, the variability is solely linked to determining the cavoatrial junction (CAJ) and represented about 1 cm. On CXR, there is a twofold challenge: the correct determination of the CAJ and the accurate identification of the catheter tip, leading to a greater variability of 2 cm.In clinical practice, while considering the 3 cm anatomical zone around the CAJ acceptable, operators should be aware of the 2 cm variability resulting from CXR assessment. To account for this variability and avoid the risk of positioning the tip beyond 3 cm from the CAJ (theoretically up to plus or minus 5 cm away from the CAJ), operators should reduce the CXR-based acceptable zone to 1 cm around the CAJ. This change may impact up to thirty percent of procedures.

Use of tissue adhesive for neonatal intravenous access devices: A scoping review.

Neonates often require vascular access devices for medication or fluid therapy, but a third of devices fail before treatment completion or end with a complication. For adults and children, securing these devices with tissue adhesive (TA) increases the dwell and reduces complications. However, there is a lack of evidence for the neonatal population. This scoping review aimed to assess the evidence of TA for vascular access devices in neonates. The Arksey and O'Malley's (2005) framework was used. The inclusion criteria covered studies published from 2007 (when TA was first reported for use in vascular access devices) to June 2024, available in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, across six databases. Two independent reviewers assessed the studies using Covidence software, with a third reviewer resolving conflicts. Quality assessment was performed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. From 981 identified studies, 12 were included. Most studies (n = 5, 41.7%) enrolled between 100 and 500 neonates with vascular access devices. Publications originated from four regions and were observational studies (n = 6, 50%), quasi-experimental (n = 3, 25%), and case series (n = 2, 16.7%) with one randomized controlled trial (8.3%) focusing on umbilical venous catheters (UVC). The most common TA composition used was a combination of n-butyl- and 2-octyl- cyanoacrylate (n = 4, 33.3%). The amount of TA applied varied across studies, and often TA was part of a bundle (n = 7, 58.3%). Most studies applied TA to central venous access devices (n = 10, 83.3%) and 2 (16.7%) in peripheral devices. Although there was variation in device failure, the studies generally indicated a reduction in complications such as dislodgment (central catheter: 11.3% [peripherally inserted central catheter {PICC}] to 24.6% [UVC] in non-TA group vs 0.7% [PICC] to 7.7% [UVC] in TA group), device-associated bloodstream infections (central: 7.7% [UVC] and incidence of 2.76/1000 catheter days [PICC] in non-TA group vs 3.1% [UVC] and incidence of 0.99/1000 catheter day [PICC] in TA group), and phlebitis (13% in non-TA group vs 3% in TA-group), as well as increased dwell time in peripheral catheters. Most studies included both term and preterm neonates but did not differentiate between them in their analyses. Skin assessment, life of first dressing, and follow-up of catheters and patients were not reported in most studies. CONCLUSION: TA may reduce complications in vascular access devices, but the evidence in neonates is limited and varied. Many studies include TA as part of bundle, making it difficult to isolate its effects. Additionally, the current evidence lacks robustness due to the design limitations of the studies. Future research should focus on randomized controlled trials to evaluate TA's effectiveness and safety in preventing device failures and complications in neonates, considering different subgroups, to ensure the safety of TA in these nuanced populations. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Research in adults and pediatrics provides evidence supporting the use of tissue adhesive (TA) for vascular access devices, showing a positive impact in reducing failures and complications. • The use of TA in neonates needs to be carefully considered due to their unique characteristics. WHAT IS NEW: • There is a gap in the literature on the use of TA for securing vascular access devices in neonates, particularly regarding its safety and effectiveness in preventing failures and complications. • Further studies are needed to provide robust evidence verifying the effectiveness and safety of TA in this population.

Can a Shorter Dwell Time Reduce Infective Complications Associated with the Use of Umbilical Catheters?

BACKGROUND: Umbilical venous catheters (UVCs) are the standard of care in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) to administer fluids, parenteral nutrition and medications, although complications may occur, including central line-associated blood stream infections (CLABSIs). However, the dwell time to reduce CLABSI risk remains an open issue. METHODS: We performed a single-center retrospective study of newborns hospitalized in the Modena NICU with at least one UVC inserted over a 6-year period (period 1: January 2011-December 2013; period 2: January 2019-December 2021). We selected a non-consecutive 6-year period to emphasize the differences in UVC management practices that have occurred over time in our NICU. The UVC dwell time and catheter-related complications during the first 4 weeks of life were examined. RESULTS: The UVC dwell time was shorter in period 2 (median 4 days vs. 5 days, p < 0.00001). Between the two periods, the incidence of CLABSIs remained unchanged (p = 0.5425). However, in period 2, there was an increased need for peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) after UVC removal, with a rise in PICC infections after UVC removal (p = 0.0239). CONCLUSIONS: In our NICU, shortening UVC dwell time from 5 to 4 days did not decrease the UVC-related complications. Instead, the earlier removal of UVCs led to a higher number of PICCs inserted, possibly increasing the overall infectious risk.