A Review of Best Practices Related to Intravenous Line Management for Nurses

Abstract

The insertion, use, and maintenance of peripheral and central intravenous lines are skills used by nurses in a variety of health care and hospital settings. However, patient vascular access is not without potential complications that can result in patient harm. The aim of this review is to identify and summarize nursing research standards of care, and best practices for safe management and prevention of catheter-associated bloodstream infections related to peripheral intravascular (PIV) and central intravenous (CVC) line placement. The authors focused on concepts of site selection, skin preparation and insertion, securement, and maintenance and removal criteria for PIV and CVC.

Keywords: Education; PIV and CVC guidelines; PIV and CVC infection; Peripheral and central catheters/lines; Protocols; Training; Vascular access.