Abstract
Purpose: To educate and improve nursing knowledge on central line occlusion management and occlusion prevention in order to promote safe, high quality standardized care for pediatric patients with central venous lines.|Background: Central venous lines (CVLs) are the main source of intravenous access in pediatrics and are used a variety of medical treatments and therapies. One of the major CVL complications is occlusion. Due to a higher risk of central venous line occlusion in the pediatric population and a lack of standardization of care for occlusion management, there is a gap in nursing knowledge related to the non-pharmacological and non-invasive interventions available.|Sample/Setting: Retrospective chart reviews were collected from the inpatient and outpatient setting. Nursing surveys were sent to nurses from a 145-bed midwestern pediatric hospital. Nursing education on CVL occlusion assessment and prevention was provided and evaluated for efficacy and knowledge gain.|Methods: A retrospective chart review was completed to assess tPA use, success, and which type of CVL were prone to an occlusion or tPA failure. A nursing perception survey focusing on the organization’s current CVL occlusion management process was given to staff. Utilizing evidence-based practice, nursing staff was provided with education on CVL occlusion management and prevention.and were surveyed prior to and following education.|Results: Patients under the age of 3, requiring critical care, or with a cardiac diagnosis were most likely to develop a CVL occlusion requiring tPA administration, 30% of which were unsuccessful. Education for nursing improved knowledge growth and retention in all areas of education.|Conclusion: There continues to be a need for a standardization of central venous line occlusion management, which was support by the nursing perception survey. Education for nursing staff, especially in intensive care units, will be vital to improve care and management for CVL occlusions as the protocol moves forward with full implementation.