Neonatal Vascular Access

Overview

Healthcare providers working in the neonatal intensive care unit often care for patients who have vascular access devices. In this program, we will review umbilical catheters and peripherally inserted central line catheters relating to the neonatal patient. Providers must be aware of proper insertion considerations and appropriate care for these devices to decrease the risk of potentially serious complications.

Objectives

After completing this continuing nursing education activity, the participant should be able to:

1. Identify the requirements and certifications necessary to allow nurses to insert peripheral vessel catheters in the neonatal patient.
2. Discuss indications and routes for umbilical catheter selection and insertion.
3. Demonstrate understanding of the definition of a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) by acknowledging the designation for terminal tip location as it applies to neonates.
4. Review major anatomical features of the neonatal vascular system.
5. Identify steps of safe catheter insertion.
6. Describe care and maintenance of catheters differentiating between polyurethane and silicone catheters.
7. Recognize potential complications and risks associated with PICC lines.
8. List the steps to take when removing the PICC catheter.

Intended audience

This continuing education activity is intended for nurses and other healthcare professionals who wants to learn more or needs to gain knowledge and skills when caring for patients in neonatal vascular access devices.

Teaching methodologies

This continuing education activity is governed by principles of adult learning and consists of written content with illustrations and interactive components to complement the narrative. Learner comprehension will be assessed through post-test questions following the content in each module.

Author

JoAnne Phillips, DNP, RN, CPPS
JoAnne has over 35 years of nursing experience in numerous care settings. Her clinical background is in Surgical Critical Care and Trauma. JoAnne is chair of the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists Alarm Fatigue Task Force and is a member of the AAMI National Coalition on Alarm Safety. She has lectured and published on issues related to alarm safety. JoAnne has more than 18 publications and over 150 presentations, and is a Certified Professional in Patient Safety. JoAnne educates caregivers on promoting safe and effective alarm management strategies in the clinical setting. She currently serves as the co-chair of the Alarm Safety Committee at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Nancy Vogt, MSN, BSED, RN
Nancy combines over 30 years nursing experience in critical care, pediatrics, ER and clinical teaching and educational program development. Her medical device experience includes quality assurance, clinical research, and professional education program development focused on safe and effective use of medical devices and evidence-based practice focused on patient outcomes.

Accreditation

California Board of Registered Nursing

Pfiedler Education is a provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP14944, for 2.0 contact hours.

Obtaining full credit for this offering depends upon attendance, regardless of circumstances, from beginning to end. Licensees must provide their license numbers for record keeping purposes.

The certificate of course completion issued at the conclusion of this course must be retained in the participant’s records for at least four (4) years as proof of attendance.