Author(s): Anne Ho, Alice Jenkins, Premal Patel

Hospital: Great Ormond Street Hospital

Reference: RAD Magazine, 46, 537, 19-20

Excerpt: 

Venous access in paediatric patients can be demanding. With children ranging from less than 600g to over 100kg across a wide spectrum of specialities, often a cannula is insufficient for the battery of investigations and medications that the child will need. As a result, some form of longer-term intravenous access is required to enable the child’s journey through hospital and their care to be as smooth as possible. The correct central venous catheter (CVC) placed at the appropriate time allows for treatment to be administered without delays and reduces upset to the child.

CVC insertion and management provide an exciting avenue for advanced practice for nurses and allied health professionals (AHP). In the late 1990s, nurse-led CVC insertion services were established, increasing efficiency of services. In 2015, The Society of Radiographers believed there to be seven sites in the country in which radiographers inserted Hickman CVCs and peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC). This includes both paediatric and adult centres. Paediatric advanced practice in interventional radiology is rare. It requires the support of consultants and senior management to be successful. However this is a valuable service as it is cost-effective, increases service efficiency, improves patient outcomes and engages staff for advanced practitioner, consultant radiographer or nurse roles.