Comments/Brief Reports
Vol. 43 No. 2 (2026)
Management and vessel health in intensive care units and oncology settings led by vascular access team nurse specialists: a brief report
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All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
Published: 16 June 2026
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Introduction: the assessment of vessel health plays a central role in improving the general care pathways. To ensure an effective assessment and appropriate management, the presence of a dedicated Vascular Access Team (VAT) is paramount, especially in intensive care units and oncology settings. The objective of this longitudinal study was to investigate the incidence of complications associated with PICC management by the VAT in two healthcare settings in central Italy. A total of 78 patients were observed across three months.
Results: the sample was predominantly male (55.1%), had a mean age of 79 years (SD=16.43) and underwent implantation of PICCs. Chemotherapy (38.5%) and antibiotics (28.2%) were the most prevalent types of drugs administered through this device.
Discussion: at three months’ follow-up, complications recorded included catheter-related bloodstream infections (0.71 per 1,000 catheter-days) and venous thrombosis (0.28 per 1,000 catheter-days).
Conclusions: nurse-led VAT management was associated with low PICC-related complication rates at three months. Structured protocols, staff training and outcome monitoring may improve patient safety in ICUs and oncology settings.
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How to Cite
Management and vessel health in intensive care units and oncology settings led by vascular access team nurse specialists: a brief report. (2026). Scenario® - Il Nursing Nella Sopravvivenza, 43(2). https://doi.org/10.4081/scenario.2026.651
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