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Negative outcomes of intravascular therapy in infants and children

L A Wynsma1

  • 1Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, California Hospital Medical Center, Los Angeles 90015, USA.

AACN Clinical Issues
|March 20, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Intravascular therapy in children can lead to complications like thrombi, infiltration, and sepsis. This review discusses risks and preventative nursing care standards for pediatric intravascular access.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric critical care medicine
  • Vascular access management

Background:

  • Intravascular therapy is crucial for critically ill infants and children.
  • However, it carries significant risks that necessitate careful management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To comprehensively review potential complications associated with peripheral and central intravascular therapy in pediatric patients.
  • To discuss financial and liability implications of adverse outcomes.
  • To propose a standard for preventative nursing care.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing data on intravascular therapy complications in children.
  • Analysis of common and less common adverse events.
  • Discussion of financial and legal aspects.
  • Development of a proposed nursing care standard.

Main Results:

  • Common complications include thrombus formation, infiltration, and sepsis.
  • Less frequent complications encompass phlebitis, arterial spasm, catheter emboli, dysrhythmias, and hemorrhage.
  • Financial burdens and nursing liability are significant considerations.

Conclusions:

  • Recognizing and mitigating intravascular therapy complications is vital in pediatric care.
  • Implementing standardized preventative nursing care can improve patient outcomes and reduce risks.
  • Further research into optimal preventative strategies is warranted.

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