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Vascular Access Management
Vascular access management is the comprehensive category of products, solutions and services providing a continuum of vascular access care, from patient assessment to device removal, designed to reduce vascular-related complications.
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BD can help your hospital support best practices in vascular access management
Our fight against vascular access complications never stops
Our Champions of Change program is advocating for better vascular access care
Are you still using manually prepared saline syringes?
Vascular access can be complex. In addition, variations in practice and lack of standardisation, can lead to complications and IV catheter failures. BD PosiFlush™ saline syringes offer the smarter route to patient safety...
Up to 90% of hospital inpatients require IV therapy1
From insertion to removal, vascular access devices could see more than 200 touches
Every vascular access patient's journey is unique and full of variables:
- Multiple products to insert, care for and maintain the device
- Many clinicians across shifts and care settings with varying skill levels and objectives
Vascular access complications can occur at many stages
Intravenous therapy is so common that it may be easy to forget there is potential for harm. Complications may arise when placing a vascular access device, ranging from infectious and thrombolitic, to mechanical and more. These complications are a major cause of vascular access device premature failure. By better understanding the potential for risk, you can be better prepared to protect patients from IV complications.
Learn more about some of the vascular access-related complications that can occur >>
BD can help assess VAM practices and potential areas for improvement in your facility >>
A catheter-related bloodstream infection (CR-BSI) is when the catheter is identified as the source of the infection.2* Signs and symptoms to look for include erythema; edema; any pain or tenderness or drainage and/or fever.2** There are extraluminal and intraluminal areas that could be potential spots for contamination, leading to CR-BSIs from risk of breaking asepsis during insertion or care and maintenance; seeding bacteria from another site of infection; and ingress of bacteria due to non-intact dressing or suboptimal insertion site.3*
Learn more about some of the vascular access-related complications that can occur >>
BD can help assess VAM practices and potential areas for improvement in your facility >>
2*. Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice. J Infus Nurs. 2021; 44(1S): S204.
2**. Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice. J Infus Nurs. 2021; 44(1S): S154.
3*. Safdar N, Maki DG. Int Care Med. 2004; 30(1): 65.
When a catheter is blocked, this can either prevent infusion or injection of solution into a catheter, aspirate blood from a catheter, or both.2* Signs and symptoms to look out for include sluggish flow and/or blood return, inability to withdraw blood, flush and/or infuse through the catheter, frequent occlusion alarms on an electronic infusion device, and infiltration or extravasation or swelling and/or leaking at the infusion site.2** Occlusions may be caused by multiple factors, including allowing an infusion to run dry, improper flushing, infusing incompatible medications, or employing an improper clamping sequence.2**
Learn more about some of the vascular access-related complications that can occur >>
BD can help assess VAM practices and potential areas for improvement in your facility >>
2*. Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice. J Infus Nurs. 2021; 44(1S): S210.
2**. Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice. J Infus Nurs. 2021; 44(1S): S150.
Catheter movement into or out of the insertion site indicating tip movement to a suboptimal position.2* Signs and symptoms include the inability to continue infusion, increased external catheter length since previous assessment and leakage at insertion site. Additionally, if the catheter moves out of the vein but not the skin, it can result in edema, pain, changes in skin color and even progress to blistering and ulceration.2** Risk factors to consider include poor site selection, loosening of the catheter due to inadequate stabilization and lack of proper securement, as well as patient manipulation such as arm or body movement.2†
Learn more about some of the vascular access-related complications that can occur >>
BD can help assess VAM practices and potential areas for improvement in your facility >>
2*. Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice. J Infus Nurs. 2021; 44(1S): S204.
2**. Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice. J Infus Nurs. 2021; 44(1S): S143.
2†. Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice. J Infus Nurs. 2021; 44(1S): S165.
Inflammation of a vein2* could be evident by pain and tenderness, erythema, warmth, swelling and redness at the catheter site.2** There are multiple chemical, mechanical and bacterial issues that could be the cause. These include use of irritating solutions, not allowing skin antisepsis to dry, inadequate hemodilution, improper catheter size or stabilization techniques, breaks in aseptic technique or non-occlusive dressing.2**
Learn more about some of the vascular access-related complications that can occur >>
BD can help assess VAM practices and potential areas for improvement in your facility >>
2*. Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice. J Infus Nurs. 2021; 44(1S): S211.
2**. Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice. J Infus Nurs. 2021; 44(1S): S138.
Infiltration occurs when a nonvesicant solution or medication is inadvertently administered into tissue surrounding the catheter site, whereas extravasation occurs when the solution or medication is vesicant.2* When this occurs, the patient may suffer from edema, pain, changes in skin color and fluid leakage from the catheter insertion site, additionally extravasation may progress to blistering and ulceration.2** A myriad of issues may cause infiltration or extravasation, including inappropriate insertion site, inadequate stabilization, difficult access history, medications that alter pain sensation, disease that produces change in vasculature, use of deep veins with insufficient catheter length, and the inability of the patient to report their symptoms.2†
Learn more about some of the vascular access-related complications that can occur >>
BD can help assess VAM practices and potential areas for improvement in your facility >>
2*. Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice. J Infus Nurs. 2021; 44(1S): S206, S207.
2**. Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice. J Infus Nurs. 2021; 44(1S): S143.
2†. Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice. J Infus Nurs. 2021; 44(1S): S142.
Vascular access complications can be costly
Calculate the potential costs of complications
On average, Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections (CR-BSIs) cost €11,219 per patient occurrence4*
Calculate the cost of CR-BSIs in your facility
Calculate the cost of CLABSIs in your facility:
Calculate the cost of PIVC restarts in your facility:
Discover more about how the BD Vascular Access Management program may help you »
† Converted from US Dollar to Euro using Xe Currency rate on November 2, 2022.
4*. Range of costs from the study by Tacconelli E et al. (ICU setting): €4’200-13’030; Median: €8’615; inflated from 2009 to 2022: €11’219 (about 30% inflation rate).
5*. Cost of catheter removal (€2.26) + cost of second cathether placement (€9.74), including nurse time and all material. These data are in the supplementary material available to support the publication.
Helping patients on the vascular access continuum
As a clinician, you’re often tasked to perform one of the most common invasive procedures—placing a vascular access device. With the right training and knowledge, you may potentially reduce vascular access complications and improve patient outcomes. And we’re here to help, every step of the way.
1.Select
2.Prepare
3.Place
4.Secure
5.Connect
6.Maintain
SELECT the right vascular access device
Vascular access is an integral component of many patients care management plans.6 Vascular access has the potential to greatly improve a patient’s wellbeing; however, it also poses inherent risks.6,7 To minimize these risks it is critical to ensure that Healthcare Professionals (HCP) choose the most
appropriate vascular access device (VAD) for the patient and their individual needs.6,8
- Peripheral IV catheters
- Midline catheters
- Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs)
- Port access needles
At BD, we developed digital tools to help healthcare professionals (HCPs) select the optimal vascular access device based on the therapy and drug(s)/regimen, but also considering specific patient elements such as medical history, lifestyle and co-morbidities.
By digitizing the device selection process we aim to provide a platform to engage with HCPs to help identify not only the most optimal clinically suitable VAD option, but the most appropriate choice for the individual patient.8
Contact us to walk you through the process of identifying the best solutions to meet your patients' vascular access needs.
PREPARE the skin
Perform skin antisepsis with correct aseptic procedures to help ensure a sterile environment. Using the single-use sterile applicator containing an antiseptic agent of alcohol-based chlorhexidine solution.2*
2*. Infusion Nurses Society. Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice. J Infus Nurs. 2021; 44(1S): S96.
Let us help identify potential gaps to improve clinical practice in your facility >>
PLACE the catheter
Place the catheter successfully for first stick success and correct tip positioning. Using guidance technologies such as ultrasound guidance, tip location systems (TLS)2* and tip confirmation systems (TCS).**
2*. Infusion Nurses Society. Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice. J Infus Nurs. 2021; 44(1S): S66.
**. The Sherlock 3CG Tip Confirmation System for placement of peripherally inserted central catheters | 5 Cost considerations. U.K. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/mtg24/chapter/5-Cost-considerations. Published 2015. Updated 30 May 2019. Accessed 13 Jan 2023.
Let us help identify potential gaps to improve clinical practice in your facility >>
SECURE the catheter
Stabilize and secure the catheter at the insertion site. Using adhesive-based engineered stabilization devices (ESDs) may reduce the risk of complications, including infection and catheter dislodgement.2*
2*. Infusion Nurses Society. Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice. J Infus Nurs. 2021; 44(1S): S109.
Let us help identify potential gaps to improve clinical practice in your facility >>
CONNECT the catheter
Connect securely to deliver infusions to help ensure safe and consistent medication delivery. Use needle free connectors designed to help reduce the risk of infectious complications.
Let us help identify potential gaps to improve clinical practice in your facility>>
MAINTAIN the catheter
Help prevent IV complications by using appropriate vascular access practices and devices to care for and maintain intravenous lines for the duration of each patient's treatment:
- Flushing with prefilled saline flush syringes2*
- Protecting the line when not in use with 70% isopropyl alcohol disinfecting caps2**
2*. Infusion Nurses Society. Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice. J Infus Nurs. 2021; 44(1S): S113.
2**. Infusion Nurses Society. Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice. J Infus Nurs. 2021; 44(1S): S115.
Let us help identify potential gaps to improve clinical practice in your facility >>
An integrated solution that may help improve vascular access care
VAM Solution
Products
Practice
Policies
We all play a role in patient care
Success in vascular access care and improving patient outcomes
requires strong collaborations.
You are a caregiver whose role is to provide patients with a positive experience and the best possible care.
Your challenges and how BD can help:
When placing IVs in difficult to access locations, multiple attempts can be stressful and impact the patient experience.
- We provide an extensive collection of online clinical practice training and education modules designed to support ongoing enrichment in vascular access, insertion and care.
Staying up to date on current evidence-based practices in vascular access as healthcare continues to evolve rapidly.
- Our extensive portfolio of vascular access devices, paired with product training and education, can help you address the vascular access needs of all patients.
Finding targeted continuing education resources quickly that meet your developmental needs.
- We partner with key opinion and clinical thought leaders to create and share webinars on the latest data and insights.
You are a clinical decision-maker whose role requires rapid pairing of patient IV therapy needs with the right vascular access devices.
Your challenges and how BD can help:
Delays in patient treatment can affect efficiencies, so you need staff to be confident in gaining and maintaining vascular access in patients.
- Our clinical training and education programs provide information on proper vascular access device selection, placement and complication management.
Changes in science and technologies require you to stay up to date on the latest information for optimal patient care.
- We are here to support you with evidence-based resources.
Changes in staff or frequent turnover can create variation and gaps between best practices and current practice.
- Our customer assessment and recommendation program may help reduce variation while providing visibility into discord between practice and policies.
You are the leader responsible for key imperatives that enhance employee engagement, while improving operational, financial and clinical outcomes.
Your challenges and how BD can help:
Finding and tracking gaps in vascular access clinical practice that may be negatively making an impact on patient experience and/or economic outcomes.
- Our customer assessment and recommendation program can improve visibility into gaps between policies and practice, which may be exposing your organization to risk.
Arming your team with on-demand training and education resources in a fast-paced industry where clinical practice continues to evolve.
- We offer evidence-based resources and continuing education to support your staff in elevating your vascular access programs.
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Learn moreMy BD Learning for additional training and educational resources
(Use activation code: BDclinical)
Infusion Therapy Practice training videos
Hand Hygiene video
PIVC Insertion video
PIVC Dressing Change video
PIVC Removal video
Continuous Infusion video
IV Push Infusion video
Hand Hygiene video
PIVC Insertion video
PIVC Dressing Change video
PIVC Removal video
Continuous Infusion video
IV Push Infusion video
6 Benefits of incorporating standards of practice into your vascular access management program
Incorporating standards of practice into your institution’s vascular access management policies may help guide excellent patient-focused care and improved outcomes.
Hospital Acquired Conditions (HAC) Reduction Program, Your Frequently Asked Questions Answered
The Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Program (HACRP) ties CMS payments to hospital-related patient safety issues. Learn more about HAC scores.
What are Vascular Access-Associated Bloodstream Infections? Some Key Facts Hospital Staffs Should Know
Tips on preventing vascular access-associated bloodstream infections in the hospital.
Address gaps in your vascular access process with four steps
With our help, you may see improvements in clinical outcomes with BD products, such as reduction in blood exposure during insertion, increased average dwell time of peripheral IVs and decreased vascular access complications, additionally, your facility could benefit from economic efficiencies with enhanced protocols and best practices.
BD Vascular Access Programme Assessment
You can't see how far you've come unless you know where you began. Our experienced clinical experts will perform a comprehensive assessment of clinical practice across your facility, leveraging proprietary digital tools, which will help in developing insightful data.
Once completed, we'll provide a detailed, actionable road map to help you standardize
and align best practice standards across the vascular access continuum.
Request an assessment
Chart and policy reviews
Clinical practice assessment
a. Interviews
b. Direct observations
Action plan to improve where gaps identified
Comprehensive portfolio of products
Since we are a global leader in vascular access devices, you can be confident that the products you are using are engineered to the highest quality and safety standards, backed by years of development and healthcare use. Our goal is to help you provide the best possible care at every step in the vascular access continuum.
1.Select
2.Prepare
3.Place
4.Secure
5.Connect
6.Maintain
SELECT the right vascular access device
Peripheral IV catheters are designed to help you optimize patient care and improve clinical outcomes >>
Midline catheters feature a variety of power injectable and nonpower injectable catheters from which to choose >>
Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are used to administer IV fluids, blood and saline to patients >>
Port access needles are offered in power injectable, safety, and non-safety configurations >>
Expert BD clinical training and education
Our clinical teams collaborate with your facility's leadership to develop curricula that addresses your unique BD product training needs, while supporting evidence-based policies and procedures. With a solid educational program in place, you can maintain best practices, which leads to repeatability and sustainability for continuity.
Gain insights from your peers' vascular access success stories and share your own
- Helm RE, Klausner JD, Klemperer JD, Flint LM, Huang E. Accepted but unacceptable: peripheral IV catheter failure. J Infus Nurs. 2015;38(3):189-203
- Infusion Nurses Society. Infusion Nursing Standards of Practice. J Infus Nurs. 2021;39(1S):S1-S159
- Safdar N, Maki DG. The pathogenesis of catheter-related bloodstream infection with noncuffed short term central venous catheters. Int Care Med. 2004;30(1):62-67. doi: 10.1007/s00134-003-2045-z
- Tacconelli E et al. Epidemiology, medical outcomes and costs of catheter-related bloodstream infections in intensive care units of four European countries: literature- and registry-based estimates.Journal of Hospital Infection, 2009, 72:97–103
- Maunoury F. et al. Cost-effectiveness analysis of bundled innovative devices versus standard approach in the prevention of unscheduled peripheral venous catheters removal due to complications in France. PLoS One. 2022 Jun 14;17(6):e0269750. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269750. PMID: 35700207; PMCID: PMC9197036
- Carole Hallam et al. “Development of the UK Vessel Health and Preservation (VHP) framework: a multi-organisational collaborative”, Journal of Infection Prevention 2016
- Mauro Pittiruti et.al European recommendations on the proper indication and use of peripheral venous access devices (the ERPIUP consensus): A WoCoVA project” The Journal of Vascular Access 1–18 © The Author(s) 2021
- I. Magallón-Pedrera et.al “ECO-SEOM-SEEO safety recommendations guideline for cancer patients receiving intravenous therapy” Clinical and Translational Oncology (2020) 22:2049–2060
BD-78617 (Jan/2023)
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