Caring for the person with a central venous catheter: scoping review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29352/mill0222e.43857Keywords:
central venous catheterization; nursing care; maintenanceAbstract
Introduction: Central venous catheterization is an invasive procedure that involves placing an intravascular device to allow access to a large-caliber vessel. During the insertion and maintenance of the central venous catheter, it is essential to comply with the measures recommended in the intervention bundles, which support and underpin clinical practice (Direção-Geral da Saúde, 2022).
Objective: To map and synthesize the scientific evidence on the insertion and maintenance of central venous catheters in hospitalized patients.
Methods: A scoping review was conducted following the methodology proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute. Inclusion criteria included studies involving hospitalized adults (≥18 years) with centrally inserted central venous catheters (tunneled and non-tunneled), published in Portuguese and English between 2019 and 2024. Search strategies were developed in three stages and included the use of keywords and MeSH descriptors. The databases PubMed, B-On, and CINAHL Complete were searched. Data extraction, analysis, and synthesis were carried out independently by two reviewers.
Results: The search identified 9000 records, of which only six met the inclusion criteria. The studies were grouped into a summary table, highlighting three main categories: (1) safe practices for central venous catheter insertion and maintenance; (2) strategies for preventing complications, particularly infections; and (3) education and training of healthcare professionals.
Conclusion: Central venous catheterization is essential, especially in intensive care settings, but it involves inherent risks. Its safety depends on the appropriate choice of catheter type, aseptic technique, rigorous maintenance care, and timely removal. The predominance of evidence-based practices and the continuous education and training of healthcare professionals are crucial to ensuring the quality and safety of care.
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