Venetec StatLock catheter-securement devices

Catheter dislodgments can have serious consequences, including phlebitis, blood-stream infections, and infiltration, along with an increased risk of needlesticks if the catheter must be reinserted. To address this problem, various types of catheter-securement devices have been developed. These include transparent membrane dressings, plastic shields, and--most recently--adhesive anchors. Adhesive anchors consist of an adhesive pad incorporating a mechanism to which the catheter and tubing can be attached. In this article, we evaluate one brand of adhesive anchor: the StatLock line of products from Venetec International. (Shown above is the StatLock IV Plus, which is used to secure intravenous catheters.) Through user interviews and a literature review, we examine the merits of the StatLock devices and explain why we think healthcare facilities should consider their use.