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Danish vascular access team facilitates shift to home care
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Danish vascular access team facilitates shift to home care

When possible, certain patients may be better treated in the comfort of their home. Before 2014, Dr Bo Gottschau noticed that around 20 patients per year experienced central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) following knee or hip replacements at the Gentofte Hospital near Copenhagen, Denmark.1

Following CLABSI diagnosis, they were administered antibiotics, had to stay in a hospital bed and their quality of life worsened according to him.1

More on this topic: Development of a vascular access team: One size does not fit all

Creation of vascular access team enables more home care

On 15 March 2018, Dr Gottschau created a VAT including five nurses from his hospital.1 It was easy for him to convince hospital administration because the future team wouldn’t increase human resource costs.1

He then explained that difficult intravenous access (DIVA)-identified patients are selected for intravenous (IV) catheter insertion by the VAT using the adult difficult intravenous access (A-DIVA) scale.1 After training carers on how to maintain IV catheters, patients are discharged and then treated at home, when possible.1

More on this topic: Vessel health: Novel scale assesses peripheral vein quality

Home care shift impacts hospital budget

From January to August 2020, 60 patients were sent home for treatment.1 The Gentofte Hospital financial department estimated that the VAT and this shift to home care saved their healthcare facility €373,333 during this period.1 Dr Gottshau asked patients to describe their experience with this hospital’s change in vascular access practice.1 One female patient received medication at home and only came to hospital for blood tests.1

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References

  1. Gottschau B. Stories from positive patients’ outcomes in getting the right intravascular devices. Presented at: The 2022 BD Multidisciplinary Advanced Course on Vascular Access (MACOVA); June 8, 2022; Berlin, Germany.

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