The Right Care Setting

Patients with vascular access devices (VADs) and receiving infusion therapy are found in various care settings: acute care (hospital), ambulatory/outpatient or transition care (short stay), clinic setting (outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT), medical day care, infusion clinic), and alternate care settings that includes home or community (patient receiving care at home), and long-term care (complex, chronic care that cannot be provided at home). The right care setting is determined by the clinical indication, treatment needs, and patient acuity. The choice of vascular access device (VAD) will depend on which setting the patient can receive appropriate care without complications. Theoretically, complications across the different settings do not vary much, but the incidence and severity may impact patient outcomes due to access to medical support and intervention. Prevention, management, and treatment of complications such as catheter-related occlusion and infection are the primary outcomes that must be prioritized for optimal patient outcomes.