Haunted IV Gallery: When Catheters Go Wrong

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Haunted IV Gallery: When Catheters Go Wrong

Inappropriate preparation may lead to infections or difficulty securing the catheter

Click each glowing eye to view catheter complications and concerns

Click the black X to close the window. Email mwhite@uvsonline.com which eye has the pumpkin image for your points

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Infection

Catheter-related infections may show signs such as redness, swelling, discharge, unexplained fever, or no overt symptoms at all! Hand hygiene and aseptic placement is critical. Remember to report infections acquired in hospital as adverse events

Patent? Not so fast

Phlebitis

Warmth, redness, and tenderness along a vein—often appearing cord-like or swollen. Palpable firm vessel; local swelling and discomfort.

Dirty Hands

Cut down too large

A cut-down that is too large may delay healing, cause excessive bleeding, or invite infection.

Not taped well

Following the taping SOP is important to keep catheters secure and faciliate re-taping

Sutures outside clipped/prepped area

Increases risk of infection Bloody site provides nidus for infection

Jugular catheters need to be secured at three points to prevent migration