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HMS Critical Care Vascular Access Toolkit

In critical care, evidence-based vascular access guidelines, decision support tools, and structured communication protocols reduce complications, enhance patient safety, and support consistent, high-quality, and cost-effective care.

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In critical care settings, reducing complications from vascular access devices is essential for improving patient safety, care quality, and resource efficiency. Establishing clear, evidence-based guidelines—alongside staff education, decision support tools, and structured handoff protocols—promotes consistent, high-quality care and minimizes risks such as infections and thrombosis. Prioritizing appropriate device and lumen selection, especially avoiding unnecessary triple lumen PICCs, and fostering multidisciplinary collaboration ensures safer practices, better outcomes, and sustainable cost savings.

  • Develop, Share and Integrate Institutional Guidelines for Vascular Access Use in Critically Ill Patients

    Establishing clear, evidence-based guidelines for vascular access promotes consistent, high-quality care and reduces complications like infections and thrombosis. These protocols support staff education, enable continuous quality improvement, and can be tailored to institutional needs and integrated into clinical workflows for better adherence and patient outcomes.

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  • Use a Decision Support Tool to Guide the Appropriateness of Vascular Access Device Use Prior to Insertion

    A decision support tool helps clinicians select the most appropriate vascular access device based on patient-specific factors, reducing complications and improving outcomes. It also standardizes care, supports clinician education, and enhances resource efficiency by minimizing unnecessary procedures and device changes.

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  • Decrease Use of Triple Lumen PICCs in the Critically Ill Patient Population

    Triple lumen PICCs carry a higher risk of bloodstream infections due to their multiple lumens. Promoting the use of single or double lumen PICCs when appropriate, supported by staff education and evidence-based guidelines, enhances patient safety and care quality. Engaging stakeholders and creating feedback mechanisms further supports sustainable practice improvements and cost savings.

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  • Device Management During ICU to Floor/Ward Transfer of Care

    Transitions between care teams can lead to communication errors that jeopardize device management and patient safety. Implementing structured, multidisciplinary protocols and validated handoff tools ensures continuity of care, reduces complications, and aligns all providers on responsibilities during patient transfers.

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  • Reduce Complications in Vascular Access in the Critically Ill Patient Population

    Reducing complications from vascular access devices enhances patient safety, improves care quality, and lowers healthcare costs. Implementing evidence-based protocols, educating staff, and involving multidisciplinary teams ensures standardized, proactive care and optimal device selection tailored to individual patient needs.

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