Course Overview

Build on the foundational knowledge established with the Ausmed Course, Central Venous Access Devices, with this deep-dive exploration of the common complications associated with central venous access devices (CVADs) and the best-practice nursing interventions for prevention and management.

Topics

• The prevalence and urgency-level of common complications
• Patient and carer education
• Patency and device-related complications
• Infection and skin-based complications
• Nursing interventions for common complications

Need

Central venous access devices (CVADs) are highly prevalent within inpatient and community healthcare settings across all populations and pose a high risk for complications to arise. Between 15–66% of CVADs may fail prematurely as a result of complications.

It is therefore crucial that healthcare professionals caring for patients with these devices have an in-depth and up-to-date understanding of the various kinds of complications that can occur, prevention strategies, and how to manage treatment in partnership with patients in order to maintain safety and achieve optimal outcomes.

Purpose

The purpose of this Ausmed Course is to provide learners with an in-depth understanding of the various kinds of complications that commonly occur for patients with CVADs and best practices for prevention, treatment and management strategies.

Learning Outcomes

• Identify and describe the common complications associated with central venous access devices (CVADs).
• Demonstrate knowledge of the strategies and functions of using best-practice assessments in maintaining CVAD patency.
• Understand the principles of infection prevention and control and apply evidence-based practices for the prevention and management of CVAD-associated infections.
• Recognise best-practice assessment and management of common skin complications related to CVADs.
• Apply appropriate teaching strategies to address individual patient needs, and promote patient adherence and active participation in the management of their CVAD.

Target Audience

Nurses and other healthcare professionals looking to deepen their knowledge of complications that commonly occur with CVADs.

Disclosure

No conflict of interest exists for anyone in the position to control content for this activity. All parties in a position to control the content, including Ausmed's planning committee for this activity, the Educator, and the Peer Reviewer, have no financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose. Wherever possible, generic or non-proprietary names of medications or products have been used.

Educators

Presented by

Nicole Gavin View profile

Dr Nicole Gavin is an experienced haematology and bone marrow transplant nurse and a nurse research at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. Her main research interest is infection in patients diagnosed with cancer. Infection is the leading cause of death for people with cancer despite advances in treatment and supportive care leading to long-term survival. Nicole’s PhD investigates how microorganisms grow in intravenous solutions in central venous access devices.

Peer reviewed by

Tony King View profile