Bringing Vascular Access at Home: Streamlining PICC and Midline Care

For patients receiving chemotherapy, parenteral nutrition, or long-term Intravenous (IV) therapy, repeated hospital visits and frequent needlesticks remain part of daily life. These routines can lead to discomfort; longer hospital stays and higher costs.

As healthcare models continue to evolve, the development of hospital‑based Vascular Access Teams (VATs) has significantly improved the management of vascular access for these patients. Building on this foundation, innovative models such as Home Vascular Access Teams (HVATs) help align hospital and community care pathways, supporting continuity of care and outcomes that help reduce hospital stays and enhance patient quality of life.¹

ASL TO5 pioneering Home Vascular Access Teams in Italy

The ASL TO5 initiative in Nichelino, Turin, Italy, has pioneered the home implantation of Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) and midline catheters, managed by the first Home Vascular Access Team (HVAT) in the country. This multidisciplinary team of doctors and nurses specialised in vascular access and supports around 2,500 patients per district.

Growing Demand for Home-Based IV Therapy

As healthcare systems seek to reduce hospital stays and optimise resources, home-based IV therapy is becoming an essential component of modern care. Patients requiring longterm therapy, including antibiotics, chemotherapy, or parenteral nutrition, are increasingly treated outside the hospital setting. While this approach benefits patients and staff, it introduces new challenges in vascular access management.¹

Variability of vascular access protocol in Practice

Even within the same hospital, clinicians may select devices based on personal experience rather than standardised vascular access protocols. This variability can lead to delays in therapy initiation, higher complication rates, and increased hospital readmissions.

Ensuring continuity of care when patients transition from hospital to home is another key issue. Communication gaps between hospital staff and home-care teams can result in inadequate monitoring, delayed troubleshooting, or mismanagement of devices. Standardised pathways and structured handover processes are critical to mitigate these risks.

Staff Workload and Training

Clinical teams are often stretched, managing high patient volumes alongside complex procedures. Without clear guidance and accessible vascular access training resources, nurses and physicians may struggle to maintain best practices consistently, impacting both patient safety and staff satisfaction.

BD supports healthcare professionals in overcoming these challenges through education, clinical insights, and collaborative initiatives. By providing access to evidence-based vascular access guidelines, best-practice resources, and real-world case studies, BD helps clinical teams develop structured vascular access programs that standardise care, enhance safety, and improve efficiency.

For example, programs that align device selection with therapy duration, standardise PICC and midline catheter insertion techniques, and coordinate follow-up with home-care providers have demonstrated measurable benefits, including reduced complications, improved documentation, and better patient outcomes.

BD also facilitates knowledge sharing among clinicians through webinars, workshops, and curated content, fostering a community of practice where experiences and lessons learned can be exchanged.

Key Takeaways

• Align vascular access device selection with therapy duration to reduce complications.
• Standardise PICC and midline catheter insertion practices across units to support consistent, high-quality care.
• Ensure clear handover processes with home-care teams for continuity of care.
• Track outcomes and complications to inform ongoing improvement.
• Use accessible educational resources to support staff training and consistency.

Structured vascular access programs can help clinicians provide safer, more consistent care for patients receiving home-based IV therapy. By standardising decision-making, improving workflows, and supporting follow-up, hospitals can enhance outcomes while easing staff workload.

For more clinical insights, evidence-based resources, and guidance on vascular access management, visit BD.com and explore the latest materials tailored for healthcare professionals.

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