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Vessel health and preservation (Part 1): a new evidence-based approach to vascular access selection and management
Nancy L Moureau1, Nancy Trick, Thomas Nifong
1Excellence, Inc., Hartwell, GA, USA. nancy@piccexcellence.com
Insights
Implementing a proactive vascular access clinical pathway, the Vessel Health and Preservation (VHP) program, improves patient outcomes and satisfaction. This evidence-based approach ensures timely, intentional device selection, preserving vessel health and reducing care variations.
Area of Science:
- Medical Sciences
- Nursing
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Traditional vascular access methods are often reactive and ineffective, leading to premature exhaustion of peripheral veins.
- Clinical pathways can enhance patient outcomes by standardizing care processes and reducing fragmentation.
- There is a need for proactive strategies to optimize vascular access device selection and patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and evaluate the Vessel Health and Preservation (VHP) program, an evidence-based clinical pathway for vascular access.
- To promote intentional and proactive selection of the most appropriate vascular access device based on individual patient needs.
- To improve patient safety, preserve vessel health, and enhance patient satisfaction through systematic care coordination.
Main Methods:
- Implementation of the Vessel Health and Preservation (VHP) program within an acute care facility.
- Utilizing an all-inclusive clinical pathway guiding clinicians from device selection to patient discharge.
- Incorporating daily assessments and evidence-based practices for timely, proactive device selection within 24 hours of admission.
Main Results:
- The VHP program facilitates systematic improvement in vascular access selection and overall patient care.
- Implementation leads to a reduction in variations and roadblocks within the care process.
- Positive impacts on patient outcomes and satisfaction are anticipated with the VHP program.
Conclusions:
- The Vessel Health and Preservation (VHP) program offers a systematic approach to optimize vascular access.
- Proactive and intentional device selection is crucial for preserving vessel health and improving patient outcomes.
- The VHP program represents a comprehensive strategy to enhance patient safety and satisfaction in vascular access management.
Abstract:
Vascular access for the infusion of medications and solutions requires timely assessment, planning, insertion, and assessment. Traditional vascular access is reactive, painful, and ineffective, often resulting in the exhaustion of peripheral veins prior to consideration of other access options. Evidence suggests clinical pathways improve outcomes by reducing variations and establishing processes to assess and coordinate care, minimizing fragmentation and cost. Implementation of a vascular access clinical pathway leads to the intentional selection of the best vascular access device for the patient specific to the individual diagnosis, treatment plan, current medical condition, and the patient's vessel health (1). The Vessel Health and Preservation (VHP) programme incorporates evidence-based practices focused on timely, intentional proactive device selection implemented within 24 hours of admission into any acute facility. VHP is an all-inclusive clinical pathway, guiding clinicians from device selection through patient discharge, including daily assessment. Initiation of the VHP programme within a facility provides a systematic pathway to improve vascular access selection and patient care, allowing for the reduction of variations and roadblocks in care while increasing positive patient outcomes and satisfaction. Patient safety and preservation of vessel health is the ultimate goal.
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