An Observational Study to Assess the Practices of Handling Central Venous Catheter among Health Care Professionals

Abstract

Central venous catheters (CVC) are used for several therapies in critically ill patients. Due to high rates of infection associated with CVC handling, strict aseptic technique should be practiced. The objective of the present study is to observe current practices of health care professionals while handling the CVC. The study was carried out in emergency wards of the tertiary care hospital by using quantitative research approach. Thirty health care professionals were selected by using total enumeration sampling technique and observed while handling CVC. Practices of handling CVC were found to be average among 57% of health care professionals. Study revealed that CVC handling practices among health professionals were found to be average. So, proper guidelines are required for handling of CVC to prevent blood stream infections.