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Vancomycin: new perspectives on an old drug.
Lynn Hadaway1, Stanley N Chamallas
1Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc., USA. lynn@hadawayassociates.com
Summary
Vancomycin infusions require careful vascular access device selection to prevent phlebitis and extravasation. This review examines current literature on vancomycin infusion practices and patient monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics
- Nursing Practice and Patient Safety
Background:
- Vancomycin is widely used across clinical settings, but infusion techniques remain a concern.
- Current Infusion Nursing Standards of Practice advise against peripheral catheters for vancomycin due to its pH.
- Risk of peripheral phlebitis and extravasation injury necessitates appropriate vascular access device selection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine current literature on vancomycin infusion techniques and patient monitoring.
- To address persistent questions regarding optimal vancomycin administration practices.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on vancomycin infusion.
- Examination of vascular access technologies and infusion control devices.
- Analysis of patient monitoring strategies.
Main Results:
- Peripheral catheters are suboptimal for vancomycin due to pH, increasing phlebitis risk.
- Correlation between systemic side effects, infusion rate, and concentration lacks strong supporting evidence.
- Emerging technologies are influencing established vancomycin infusion practices.
Conclusions:
- Selecting appropriate vascular access devices is crucial for minimizing vancomycin infusion complications.
- Further research may be needed to clarify the relationship between infusion parameters and systemic effects.
- Healthcare providers should stay informed about advancements in infusion technology and best practices for vancomycin administration.