Reducing risk of air embolism associated with central venous access devices

Reducing risk of air embolism associated with central venous access devices

Collection:
Health Policy and Services Research
Series Title(s):
Pennsylvania patient safety advisory
Contributor(s):
Feil, Michelle.
Pennsylvania. Patient Safety Authority.
ECRI (Organization)
Institute for Safe Medication Practices.
Publication:
[Harrisburg, Pa.] : Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority, c2012
Language(s):
English
Format:
Text
Subject(s):
Catheterization, Central Venous -- adverse effects
Embolism, Air -- prevention & control
Risk Management -- methods
Pennsylvania
United States
Genre(s):
Technical Report
Abstract:
Air embolism is a rare but potentially lethal complication of certain medical and surgical procedures. Because air embolism is a preventable hospital-acquired condition that can result in serious harm, it has been labeled a serious reportable event with nonpayment for harm by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Between June 2004 and December 2011, the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority received 74 reports related to air embolism. The majority of confirmed or suspected air embolisms were attributed to central venous access devices. The widespread use of these devices, along with a high mortality rate attributed to air embolisms related to central venous access devices, warrants special attention. Hospitals can decrease the risk for air embolism by establishing policies and procedures that contain specific air embolism prevention protocols for central venous access device insertion, management, and removal. Other measures to decrease risk include education and competency certification for staff and equipment safety controls.
Copyright:
Reproduced with permission of the copyright holder. Further use of the material is subject to CC BY-NC-ND license. (More information)
Extent:
1 online resource (1 PDF file (pages 58-64))
Illustrations:
Illustrations
NLM Unique ID:
101585910 (See catalog record)
Permanent Link:
http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/101585910