Right Training and Education

Optimal vascular access device (VAD) insertion and management requires clinicians to have appropriate education. This should include exposure to clinical simulation opportunities where technical and non-technical skills can be supervised and assessed prior to any clinical proctoring. As a result, procedural techniques can be reviewed and improved so that patients receive vascular access procedures from clinicians who understand the rationale for a VAD and the risks associated with their use. The second quadrant of the Vessel Health and Preservation (VHP) model requires a qualified inserter, a clinician who has undertaken a comprehensive clinical and vascular assessment and is applying the latest evidence and guidelines to select the most appropriate device for patient treatment, leading to the successful insertion of a peripheral or central VAD. Appropriate device selection and the number of necessary lumens are a determination made to minimise risk associated with insertion and potential for infection, whilst addressing therapeutic needs. This requires an understanding of the most appropriate intravascular device to be used. Factors such as, prescribed infusates, the length of anticipated dwell, can influence the most appropriate vessel and anatomical position for VAD placement.