SKRB CENTRALNIH VENSKIH KATETERA (CVK) KORIŠTENJEM SISTEMA BEZ ŠAVOVA - ISKUSTVO JEDNOG CENTRA

Clinical guideline for central venous catheter (CVC) maintenance stresses regular care of the insertion site and safety checks. The study aimed to assess the advantage of using suture-free fi xation system to secure catheter position and prevention of infection. A total of 40 patients with CVC vascular access for hemodialysis were followed from 01/10 through six months at Division of Nephrology, Dialysis and Kidney Transplantation, Rijeka University Hospital Centre. Patients were divided into two groups of 20 patients. In group 1, suture-free fi xation system was used as an additional measure of securing CVC position, while group 2 served as a control group where ordinary measures were used. Protocol saw changing of dressings and suture-free fi xation system once a week. In group 1, 11 patients with temporary and 9 patients with permanent catheters were followed. Five complications were observed during the study period and one patient required additional sutures. In the control group, 12 temporary and 8 permanent catheters were followed. Additional sutures were required in four patients and eight complications were observed. Blood stream infection was observed in only one patient. The use of suture-free fi xation system reduced the number of complications to 25%, compared to 40% in the control group. Satisfaction was rated at 9.6/10 by patients, 9.4/10 by nurses, and 9.8/10 by nephrologists. Allergic reactions were not observed. In conclusion, for such a large area of use, it is necessary to follow patients for a longer period; still this research confi rmed the advantage of using suture-free fi xation system.