Make the right choice of vascular access device.

Patients may require the insertion of an intravenous line for a range of reasons, from blood sampling to total parenteral nutrition. This review looks at the range of vascular access devices available and examines the criteria that must be considered when selecting devices, to ensure that the therapeutic and personal needs of the patient are fully met.

Introducing Critical Care Outreach: a ward-randomised trial of phased introduction in a general hospital.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of introducing a critical care outreach service on in-hospital mortality and length of stay in a general acute hospital.

Design: A pragmatic ward-randomised trial design was used, with intervention introduced to all wards in sequence. No blinding was possible.