Use of peripherally inserted central catheter in a neonatal unit: a descriptive study

Aim:  analyze  the  use  of  peripherally  inserted  central  catheter  in terms of the aspects of technique, positioning and maintenance, as well as the influence on the number of venous dissections in hospitalized infants in a neonatal unit. Method: descriptive,  retrospective,  quantitative  study,  in  reference  maternity  unit  of  a  city  in northeastern  Brazil.  Sample  composed  of  1,599  peripherally  inserted  central  catheter insertions in 1,204 infants during the years 2006 to 2013. Instruments were used that recorded  aspects  of  the  insertion  of  peripherally  inserted  central  catheter  and  venous dissection.  Results:  most  babies  were  premature,  of  low  birth  weight  and  male.  The veins  of  the  cubital  region  were  the  most  punctured  with  insertion  success  until  the fourth  puncture.  The  central  positioning  of  the  catheter  tip predominated,  with  a permanency  time  between  11  and  20  days,  removing  it  at  the  end  of  the  treatment. Over  the  years,  the  number  of  venous  dissections  was  inversely  proportional  to  the insertion  of  peripherally  inserted  central  catheter.  Conclusion:  this  transvenous  device was  shown  to  be  important  for  the  treatment  of  hospitalized  newborns,  favoring reduction of venous dissections.