MAINTAINING VASCULAR ACCESS DEVICES - THE NURSES ROLE

The role of the nurse in maintaining vascular access devices has alter ed dramatically with the advance in vascular access device technology and the greater involvment in selection of the device and its insertio n, maintenance and removal. Up-to-date knowledge and the use of eviden ce-based practice underpinned by good scientific research is the key t o vascular access device maintenance. The routine maintenance of vascu lar access devices is a shared responsibility between the nurse and th e patient, so that the nurse has an important part to play in the adeq uate preparation and education of the patient. The nurse therefore has a responsibility to ensure the maintenance of vascular access devices in order to increase the benefits to the patient and decrease the ris k of serious complications.