Jpen Parenter Enter
-
Jpen Parenter Enter · Jan 1985
Multipurpose central venous access in the immunocompromised pediatric patient.
During a 21-month period, 50 consecutive pediatric oncology patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation and/or cytoreductive chemotherapy had 61 silastic central venous catheters placed to facilitate their therapy. All catheters were used for medications, routine blood sampling, and transfusions, with 45% also used for hyperalimentation and 57% used for bone marrow transplantation. Catheters were utilized during both inpatient and outpatient therapy periods. ⋯ One catheter is still in place after 585 days. Complication rates were not influenced by this multiple use protocol. With standardized catheter care and surveillance, multipurpose, long-term central venous access can be safely utilized in the immunosuppressed pediatric patient.