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Updated: Apr 3, 2026
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A Protocol to Set Up Needle-Free Connector with Positive Displacement on Central Venous Catheter in Intensive Care Unit
Published on: July 13, 2019
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Variables Associated With Central Venous Catheter Occlusions in 2 Pediatric ICUs With Differing Maintenance Protocols
Kathleen Quirk1, Laura Berbert2, Alexandra Cole3
1Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA.
Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing : DCCN
|April 1, 2026
Summary
Central venous catheters (CVCs) in critically ill infants have high occlusion rates, increasing with duration. Standardized maintenance protocols are crucial to reduce CVC occlusions and improve infant care.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal intensive care
- Pediatric critical care
- Vascular access devices
Background:
- Central venous catheters (CVCs) are essential for critically ill infants but carry risks, notably occlusions.
- Standardization of CVC maintenance protocols is lacking in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare CVC outcomes between two intensive care units (ICUs) with different maintenance protocols.
- To identify risk factors for CVC occlusions in infants aged 37 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) to 6 months.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 878 CVCs in 717 infants (37 weeks PMA to 6 months) across two ICUs.
- Data extraction included CVC characteristics, patient demographics, and occlusion events.
- Descriptive and regression analyses were performed to identify occlusion risk factors.
Main Results:
- An overall occlusion rate of 15.4% was observed across both ICUs.
- ICU 2 exhibited a significantly higher occlusion rate (33.1%) compared to ICU 1 (10.8%).
- Increased CVC dwell time (line days) was a significant risk factor for occlusion (OR=1.08, P<.001).
Conclusions:
- The duration of CVC placement directly correlates with an increased likelihood of occlusion.
- Findings highlight the need for optimized CVC maintenance protocols to mitigate occlusion rates.
- Reducing CVC dwell time and standardizing care may improve catheter longevity and patient outcomes.
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