Central venous catheterization in pediatric and neonatal intensive care units

This descriptive, prospective cohort study aimed to analyze the process of central venous catheterization in neonatal intensive care and pediatric units; describe the variables related to study characterization, including admission unit, age, and sex; and to investigate related variables, such as catheter type, reason for insertion, number of lumens, insertion site, type of professional who performed the procedure, medication therapy infused, reason for withdrawal, length of time catheter was in situ, and mechanical and infectious complications. Data collection was performed with 82 charts in the intensive care units (ICUs) of the Instituto Fernandes Figueira. In the majority of cases, the indications for catheter insertion were prolonged drug infusion and total parenteral nutrition. Removal was predominantly required due to mechanical and infectious complications. This study assessed the process of central venous catheterization with the aim of improving care provided to the neonatal and pediatric patients.