American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
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More than 1 billion peripheral vascular access devices are inserted annually worldwide with potential complications including infection, thrombosis, and vasculature damage. Vasculature damage can necessitate the use of central catheters, which carry additional risks such as central catheter-associated bloodstream infections. To address these concerns, one institution used expert nurses and a consult request system with algorithms embedded in the electronic medical record. ⋯ The peripheral vascular access service allowed patients to receive appropriate peripheral vascular access devices and avoid unnecessary peripheral catheter placements. This may have preserved patients' peripheral vasculature and thus prevented premature central catheter placement and contributed to an overall decrease in central catheter days. With the peripheral vascular access service, peripheral vascular access devices were selected, placed, and maintained by experts with a standardized process that promoted a culture of quality and patient safety.
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The COVID-19 pandemic created pressure to delay inpatient elective surgery to increase US health care capacity. This study examined the extent to which common inpatient elective operations consume acute care resources. ⋯ Acute care needs after elective surgery in the United States are consistent and predictable. When these data are overlaid with national hospital capacity models, rational decisions regarding matching supply to demand can be achieved to meet changing needs.