A latest study on securement for central vascular access devices (CVAD) suggests that subcutaneous anchor securement systems (SASS) are shown to be simpler at keeping central catheters in place, in comparison with either suture-based or adhesive device-based securement methods, based on Eloquest Healthcare, Inc., a privately held medical device company.

Catheter migration and dislodgement have an incredible impact on patient outcomes, in addition to healthcare costs, and “the evidence suggests that subcutaneous anchor systems are superior to other engineered or improvised securement systems in relation to decreasing catheter migration,” said lead creator Jon Bell, MSN, RN, VA-BC.

Published within the Fall 2022 issue of the Journal of the Association for Vascular Access, the review article can even be the topic of an exhibitor theater presentation given by co-author Michelle Hawes, DNP, RN, CRNI, VA-BC on the upcoming annual scientific meeting of the Association for Vascular Access.

A pressing problem in vascular access

CVADs are essential for patient care, and each month clinicians insert 1000’s of central venous catheters (CVCs) and peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) in patients. Yet there may be little conclusive evidence from randomized clinical trials or other studies about which securement methods work best to stop the catheters from being dislodged or moved, or to scale back bloodstream infections.

This has contributed to “a normal of care that’s fractured and confusing and created an actual need to collect evidence on the very best securement methodology,” said Bell.

Currently, most CVCs are secured using suture-based systems, while the vast majority of PICCs are secured with mixtures of dressings and adhesive securement devices. SecurAcath® by Interrad Medical is the world’s only subcutaneous anchor securement system that will be used on each varieties of catheters.

Data show clear advantages with subcutaneous anchor securement system

Researchers conducted a scientific review of greater than 8,000 studies to look at safety and efficacy outcomes related to CVAD securement. Within the studies with good comparative data on rates of catheter migration and dislodgement, researchers found clear advantages for the subcutaneous anchor securement system.

The median incidence of migration and dislodgement for SASS was just 1.76 percent, in comparison with 4.17 percent for integrated devices (device dressing with built-in securement technology), 6.77 percent for suture-based systems, and 9.69 percent for adhesive securement devices.

The information offered no firm conclusions about which method was best at reducing central-line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI), and extra research is required to look at the actual effects of securement on patient outcomes. Nonetheless, Bell suggests that “given the present evidence, it is probably going that subcutaneous anchor securement systems are the long run of CVAD securement.”

Mounting evidence for SecurAcath

The brand new review article adds to the evidence supporting using SecurAcath, the one currently available subcutaneous anchor securement system. As Michelle Hawes will describe in her AVA presentation, a 2020 study showed that SecurAcath also significantly reduced the chance of bloodstream infections in comparison with adhesive securement device methods for PICCs.

Furthermore, a retrospective study, found that a single catheter secured with SecurAcath lasted throughout your entire length of need in 98 percent of cases. In contrast, 20 percent of catheters secured with adhesive securement devices needed to get replaced. Despite higher upfront costs with SecurAcath, the higher outcomes and simplified care and maintenance will lead to lower overall healthcare costs, Hawes will explain.

AVA’s annual scientific meeting can be held September 30-October 3 in Minneapolis, Minn. Hawes’ talk will happen on October 1, 2022, at 12:30 pm CT in Exhibit Hall C of the Minneapolis Conference Center.To learn more about CVAD securement with SecurAcath at AVA, visit Eloquest Healthcare at Booth #612.

Source:

Eloquest Healthcare, Inc.

Journal reference:

Bell, J.A., et al. (2022) Systematic Review of the Safety and Efficacy of Central Vascular Access Device Securement. Journal of the Association for Vascular Access. doi.org/10.2309/JAVA-D-22-00013.