Health professionals' lack of knowledge of central venous access devices: the impact on patients

Abstract

Background: the literature on the patient experience of living with a central venous access device (CVAD) is growing, but remains sparse. It suggests that patients accept having a CVAD as it should reduce episodes of repeated cannulations. However, a recent doctoral study found the reality did not live up to this hope. Aim: the study objective was to uncover the global, cross-disease experience of patients with CVADs. Method: an online survey was sent to an international sample of people living with CVADs. Findings: 74 people from eight countries responded. Respondents corroborated the PhD findings: painful cannulation attempts continued after CVAD insertion because of a lack of clinical knowledge. Participants lost trust in clinicians and feared complications due to poor practice. Conclusion: clinicians often lack the necessary skills to care and maintain CVADs. This leads to a negative patient experience.