5PSQ-125 Assessment of nurses’ knowledge about care and management of central venous catheters

Background Central venous catheters (CVC) are known to be associated with risks of complications such as infections and haemorrhages. Good practices of care and management are essential in limiting these risks. Recently, complications linked to CVC utilisation increased in the Haematology Department. We decided to carry out a survey to assess the knowledge of the nurses on the care and the management of CVC. Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate nurses’ knowledge about the care and management of CVC, in order to identify areas for possible improvements. Material and methods We developed an open-ended questionnaire, focused on the management of complications (haemorrhages, infections), the monitoring of proper functioning and the catheter dressings. The questions were asked by a pharmacy resident and a pharmacy student to each nurse of the Haematology Department individually. The responses were recorded in a spreadsheet and sorted into categories. Results Thirty-three nurses were interviewed in September 2017. Regarding CVC complications, 97% (n=32) reported the infectious risk, and only 33% (n=11) the haemorrhagic risk. All the nurses declared checking the blood reflux, but only 48% (n=16) reported checking the flow, 27% (n=9) the ease of injection and 24% (n=8) the absence of pain. Ninety-one per cent (n=30) of the nurses check the dressings every 8 hours, 85% (n=28) declared checking the occlusiveness and cleanliness of the dressings, and only 55% (n=18) mentioned control of the peripheral skin. Seventy-six per cent (n=25) change the dressing 2 days after the placement of the CVC and 91% (n=30) change the dressing every 4 days during the following period. Conclusion The nurses’ knowledge is quite good but this questionnaire allowed us to identify precisely the points of improvement. Pharmaceutical intervention permitted us to become aware of nurses’ difficulties. The nurses supported our questionnaire and were interested by our approach. Educational measures are currently being implemented: e-learning and training sessions for nurses and posters displayed in nursing stations. Six months after the training, the rate of side-effects linked to CVC’s complications will be evaluated and compared to those of the first period in order to assess the effectiveness of these measures. No conflict of interest