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Published on: July 20, 2022
Substantial harm associated with failure of chronic paediatric central venous access devices
Amanda J Ullman1,2,3, Tricia Kleidon3,4, Marie Cooke1,3
1School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Nathan, Australia.
Insights
Central venous access devices (CVADs) frequently fail in children with chronic conditions, leading to repeated procedures and high costs. Improving CVAD reliability is crucial for pediatric patient care and healthcare economics.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Healthcare
- Biomedical Engineering
- Vascular Access
Background:
- Central venous access devices (CVADs) are vital for pediatric patients with chronic conditions like cancer and gastrointestinal disorders.
- High rates of device failure and complications necessitate frequent interventions.
Observation:
- A case study involving a child with short gut syndrome experienced ten CVAD insertions over 2.5 years, with nine failures.
- This led to numerous anesthetic procedures, injuries, interrupted nutrition, and significant distress.
Findings:
- Each tunnelled CVAD insertion or rewiring incurred an estimated institutional cost of $A10,253 (2016 AUD).
- Device failures resulted in delayed treatment, increased patient morbidity, and substantial healthcare expenditure.
Implications:
- Frequent CVAD failures significantly impact pediatric patient quality of life and family well-being.
- The high cost associated with CVAD complications presents a considerable burden on international health services.
Abstract:
Central venous access devices (CVADs) form an important component of modern paediatric healthcare, especially for children with chronic health conditions such as cancer or gastrointestinal disorders. However device failure and complications rates are high.Over 2½ years, a child requiring parenteral nutrition and associated vascular access dependency due to 'short gut syndrome' (intestinal failure secondary to gastroschisis and resultant significant bowel resection) had ten CVADs inserted, with ninesubsequently failing. This resulted in multiple anaesthetics, invasive procedures, injuries, vascular depletion, interrupted nutrition, delayed treatment and substantial healthcare costs. A conservative estimate of the institutional costs for each insertion, or rewiring, of her tunnelled CVAD was $A10 253 (2016 Australian dollars).These complications and device failures had significant negative impact on the child and her family. Considering the commonality of conditions requiring prolonged vascular access, these failures also have a significant impact on international health service costs.
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