Does anyone know of a vascular access team model in which the VAT members are the only ones to enter a central line (except in emergencies), for instance to give meds or draw labs? Understandably, evidence supports a small group of nurses changing dressings...but has anyone heard of a facility which has gone to this extreme, or of any guideline or evidence that suggests it?
Holly Hess
Those teams were known as IV Teams or IV Therapy Teams and not Vascular Access teams. In years gone by, I have worked on several teams with that responsibility. Many hospitals still have IV Infusion Teams but I can't quickly recall if any of them still do all medication administration. The team at Northside Hospital in Atlanta still operates out of the Pharmacy. You could contact their manager, Barbara March and ask her. Lynn
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, NPD-BC, CRNI
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