PICC insertion and veins of the arm size variation during dialysis treatment: A prospective observational study.

Background: Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters play an increasingly important role in Central Venous Access Devices. However, the use of these devices should be carefully considered in specific situations such as central catheterisation in patients with chronic kidney disease. When evaluating the feasibility of placement for a patient undergoing dialysis, the relationship between changes in circulating volume before and after dialysis treatment, and potential variations in the size of deep veins in the upper limbs, should be considered.

Midline catheters for blood gas and acid/base monitoring in critical patients: A prospective observational study.

Background: Arterial lines and central venous catheter (CVC) allow to monitor patients' acid-base status and gas exchange. Their placement and maintenance may however be burdened by severe complications. Midline Catheters (MC) are peripheral venous accesses that are less invasive and easier to insert compared to CVC and arterial lines.

One hundred ECMO retrivals before and during the Covid-19 pandemic: an observational study.

Objectives: Patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome may require veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-V ECMO) support. For patients in peripheral hospitals, retrieval by mobile ECMO teams and transport to high-volume centers is associated with improved outcomes, including the recent COVID-19 pandemic. To enable a safe transport of patients, a specialised ECMO-retrieval program needs to be implemented.

Femorally inserted central catheters with exit site at mid-thigh: A low risk alternative for central venous catheterization.

Background: Femorally inserted central catheters are increasingly used, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, also thanks to widespread of tunneling techniques that allow the exit site to be moved away from the groin.

Methods: In this retrospective observational study, femorally inserted catheters, with exit site at mid-thigh and the tip in Inferior vena cava or in Inferior vena cava at the junction with right atrium, have been observed and complications have been analyzed. All catheters were inserted by trained Nurses of a tertiary hospital Vascular Access Team.

Management of vascular access for extracorporeal life support: A cohort study.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is required for patients with refractory cardiac or respiratory failure. Inadequate securement of ECMO cannulae may lead to adverse events, ranging from line kinking to catastrophic accidents, such as air entrainment into the circuit or massive bleeding. Furthermore, the micro-motion of the cannulae at the entry site might increase the risk of local infections.

Reliability of cutaneous landmarks for the catheter length assessment during peripherally inserted central catheter insertion: A retrospective observational study.

Introduction: Peripherally inserted central catheters are very common devices for short, medium and long-term therapies. Their performance is strictly dependent on the correct tip location, at the junction between the upper caval vein and the right atrium. It is very important to obtain an estimated measure of the catheter, in order to reach the cavo-atrial junction and optimize the catheter length.

Ultrasound-guided tip location of midline catheters.

Introduction: Midline catheters are widely used in clinical practice. Proper placement of midline catheter tip is usually assessed only by aspirating blood and flushing with normal saline without resistance.

Purpose: To describe the ultrasound-guided tip location for midline catheters and its feasibility and to compare incidence of catheter-related venous thrombosis associated with or without ultrasound tip localization.

How different helmet fixing options could affect patients' pain experience during helmet-continuous positive airway pressure.

Background: Prolonged application time of helmet continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) leads to better outcomes, but its timing can be influenced by the patient's tolerance.

Aims And Objectives: To investigate patients' pain and tolerance experience related to different options of helmet fixing system: 'armpits strap' versus 'counterweights system'.

Design: This was a non-randomized crossover study performed in a 10-bed intensive care unit and referral extra corporeal membrane oxigenation (ECMO) centre of an Italian university hospital.

[Isolation precautions in multi drug resistent infections and nursing workload in a general intensive care unit].

Background: Critically ill patients in ICU are exposed to high risk of hospital acquired infections. In recent years, the multi drug resistant microorganisms (MDR) represent the most worrying epidemiological problem.

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between isolation precautions and nursing workload.

[Enteral nutrition during prone positioning in mechanically ventilated patients].

Unlabelled: . Enteral nutrition during prone positioning in mechanically ventilated patients.

Introduction: The Enteral Nutrition (EN) tends to be stopped during prone positioning to prevent the risk of acid reflux and vomiting.

"Extended subcutaneous route" technique: a quick subcutaneous tunnelling technique for PICC insertion.

Purpose: To describe a quick tunnelling technique for peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) insertion called the "extended subcutaneous route" technique.

Methods: The "extended subcutaneous route" technique is described step by step.

Results: In 18 consecutive PICCs, inserted with extended route technique in ASST Monza, no complications during insertion were registered.

[Evaluation of tip location reliability of intraprocedural ECG vs. chest Xrays in PICC placement].

Unlabelled: . Evaluation of tip location reliability of intraprocedural ECG vs. chest Xrays in PICC placement.

In vitro evaluation of fluid reflux after flushing different types of needleless connectors.

Purpose: To evaluate fluid reflux, when disconnecting syringe, for different needleless connectors.

Materials: Nine connectors were tested; 540 measurements were carried out.

Results: The connectors tested showed very different performances, about reflux, on disconnection of the syringe used for flushing.

[Utilization of Behavioral Pain Scale and Critical Care Pain Observation Tool for pain evaluation in Intensive Care Unit].

Aim: To compare two evaluation pain scale the Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS) e Critical Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT) in Intensive Care Unit in the Azienda Ospedaliera di Monza, and their correlation. To evaluate if consciousness level (evaluate through a third scale the Ritchmond Agitation Sedation Scale - RASS) influence the use of the pain scales.

Methods: 1083 data were collected from May 2012 and November 2012.

[The impact of closed system and 7 days intravascular administration set replacement on catheter related infections in a general intensive care unit: a before-after study].

Introduction: The incidence of catheter related Bloodstream infections (BSI) is high in intensive care units (ICU).

Aim: To evaluate the BSI rate in a population of patients admitted to a General ICU before and after the implementation of the 2011 CDC guidelines.

Methods: Retrospective observational study on patients admitted from January 2009 to December 2013.

[Level of sedation level and modifications of vital signs during hygienic care in patients admitted to an intensive care unit].

Introduction: Hygienic care practices may represent a source of stress for intensive care patients.

Aim: To identify the hygienic care practices more involved in changes of vital signs and the association to the level of sedation.

Methods: Prospective observational study of eleven patients admitted to a general intensive care unit, observed for three consecutive hygiene care morning practices.