Abstract

Proper securement provides a safe vascular access device environment for both patients and health care providers. Successful securement protects central venous catheters from several sources of failure until the end of therapy by preventing central venous catheter movement during all phases of care. Movement causes vein trauma, bacterial migration, distal tip location variation, loss of dressing integrity, and even total dislodgement. Any of these events can have serious consequences, including catheter-related bloodstream infection, thrombosis, delay of treatment, catheter replacement, and potential hemorrhage, all of which can be life-threatening events, and increase costs. We review patient issues, practice issues, and the types of securement currently used in clinical settings.