Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 17, 2026

A Protocol to Set Up Needle-Free Connector with Positive Displacement on Central Venous Catheter in Intensive Care Unit
Published on: July 13, 2019
A crossover randomized prospective pilot study evaluating a central venous catheter team in reducing catheter-related
Rita Secola1, Colleen Azen, Mary Ann Lewis
1Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA. rsecola@chla.usc.edu
Background:
Treatment for most children with cancer includes the use of a central venous catheter (CVC). CVCs provide reliable venous access for delivery of chemotherapy and supportive care. This advantage is mitigated by an increased risk of bloodstream infections (BSIs). Despite the ubiquitous use of CVCs, few prospective studies have been conducted to address infection prevention strategies in pediatric oncology patients.
Design:
Prospective, crossover pilot study of a CVC team intervention versus standard care.
Setting:
Two inpatient oncology units in a metropolitan children's hospital.
Patients:
A total of 41 patients/135 admissions for the experimental unit (EU) and 41/129 admissions for the control unit (CU).
Methods:
Patients received a CVC blood draw bundle procedure by a CVC registered nurse (RN) team member (experimental intervention: EU) for 6 months and by the assigned bedside RN (standard care: CU) for 6 months. Feasibility of implementing a CVC RN team; a significant difference in CVC-related BSIs between the team intervention versus standard care and risk factors associated in the development of CVC-related BSIs were determined.
Results:
There were 7 CVC-related BSIs/1238 catheter days in the EU group (5.7/1000 catheter days) versus 3 CVC-related BSIs/1419 catheter days in the CU group (2.1/1000 catheter days; P = .97). Selected risk factors were not significantly associated with the development of a CVC-related BSI.
Conclusions:
A CVC team in the care of pediatric oncology patients is feasible; however, a larger cohort will be required to adequately determine the effectiveness of the team reducing CVC-related BSIs.
Related Concept Videos
Parentral Nutrition: Centeral and Peripheral Parental Nutrition
PN can be administered through two primary routes:
1. Central Parenteral Nutrition (CPN):
CPN involves delivering a high concentration of nutrients through a large vein. This is typically achieved using a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) or,...
Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
Acute Kidney Injury IV: Diagnostic Studies and Prevention
Endocarditis IV: Nursing Management
Cardiac Catheterization IV: Nursing Management
