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Long-term venous access service based in the barium room
1Department of Medical Imaging, Pilgrim Hospital, Boston, Lincolnshire, UK.
The British Journal of Radiology
|June 1, 1995
Summary
Totally implantable venous access devices and catheters can be safely inserted in a standard district general hospital screening room. This approach avoids specialized vascular suites, demonstrating feasibility and favorable complication rates for venous access procedures.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Interventional Radiology
- Vascular Access
Background:
- Venous access devices (VADs) are crucial for long-term therapies.
- Traditional insertion often requires specialized vascular suites.
- Assessing feasibility in standard settings is important for accessibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of radiological insertion of VADs in a district general hospital (DGH) screening room.
- To compare complication rates with those from specialized settings.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 38 venous access device insertions (ports, catheters, long lines) over 13 months.
- Procedures performed in a standard DGH screening room under local anesthesia.
- Data collection on early and late complications, including infection and thrombosis.
Main Results:
- No significant early complications were observed.
- Major complications occurred at a rate of 0.59 per 1000 access days (4/6800 days), including 3 infections and 1 thrombosis requiring removal.
- Minor complications included 5 treatable infections and 1 resolving thrombosis.
Conclusions:
- Radiological insertion of VADs is feasible in a standard DGH screening room.
- This approach demonstrates favorable complication rates compared to procedures in specialized suites.
- Local anesthesia and rapid scheduling support the use of DGH screening rooms for VAD placement.