Vesicant InfusionsA presentation for King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, Bermuda

23 January, 2012

Kristen Bodnaruk, RN, BSDenise Dreher, RN, CRNI, VA-BC

Mary McCormick-Gendzel, RN, MS, CRNI, RN-BC

Today’s Discussion:

• Definitions• Patient safety• Peripheral and central VAD assessments• Equipment• Healthcare worker safety• Drug administration• Extravasation

Definitions

• Irritant: medication that may cause itching, phlebitis, or reaction along the vessel or at the injection site.

• Vesicant: any IV drug that can cause blistering, severe tissue injury or tissue necrosis when extravasated. These may be chemotherapeutic or non-chemotherapeutic medications.

Peripheral IV (PIV) Access• Gauge of catheter:

---bigger is not always better ---use smallest gauge possible to meet

infusion needs---smaller gauge decreases intimal damage and promotes hemodilution

• Placement of catheter: avoid areas of flexion such as the hand, wrist, or antecubital fossa

• Consider new PIV insertion daily if patient receiving daily vesicants• Start PIV insertions distally on arm and move proximally as therapy

regimen progresses

Risk Factors• Patient age, condition, or acuity• Large gauge, location, and/or length of catheter• Infusion history• Poor VAD insertion technique• Poor care and maintenance practices• Extended dwell time• Chemical makeup of drug: pH <5 or >9, osmolarity

>600mOsm, or final dextrose concentration > 10%• Recent proximal peripheral venipunctures, or other

existing PIVs in the same extremity

Risk Factors• Recent proximal peripheral venipunctures, or other

existing PIVs in the same extremity• Inadequate device securement• Confused or active patients could dislodge or damage

access• Improper length of non-coring needle used with port

access. • Inadequate device securement

VAD Assessment• Patient comments/complaints• What is insertion date? (for PIVs)• Any swelling/edema noted…is transparent dressing

looking taut?...is ID bracelet tight?• Is skin blanched or cool to touch?• Positive blood return?• Any redness (erythema) or leaking at insertion site?• Any difficulty flushing?• Radiological confirmation of central line catheter tip

placement

Some Potential Complications of Central Venous Access Devices (CVADs)

• Catheter occlusion• Vessel occlusion• Catheter rupture/fracture• Device rotation• Catheter migration• For implanted ports: improper insertion of

non-coring needle or needle dislodgement

Equipment

• IV tubing containing DEHP: (di-2-ethylhexylphthalate) is a plasticizer added to PVC-based plastics to make them soft and pliable.

There is evidence that certain drugs cause more leaching of DEHP.

Increased amounts of DEHP in humans is concerning for its carcinogenic or hepatotoxic effects.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Long-sleeved protective gown or cover-up should be lint-free and made of a low-permeability fabric. Gown should have a solid front, back closure, and tight cuffs.

• Powder-free long-cuffed gloves designed specifically for chemotherapy should be worn. Gloves should be changed after each use, after 30 minutes of wear, or if they become torn or exposed to chemotherapy.

• Face shield, goggles, or safety glasses should be worn

Healthcare Worker Safety

• Proper handling of infusates and administration sets• Caution with connecting and disconnecting• Proper use of PPE• Exercise caution when handling patient’s emesis,

urine, or feces• Disposal of equipment into the appropriate

biohazard bag or container• Follow established protocols and use a

chemotherapy spill kit when cleaning up spills

Vesicant Administration

General Points of Emphasis

• Continuous vesicants are given via central access.

• Pre-filled administration sets versus backpriming of tubings

• Vesicants are administered FIRST in a multiple chemo regimen

• Patient education!!

Pre-infusion• Informed consent?• Patient education: including signs/symptoms to notify RN if

they feel any pain, burning, cool sensation, tingling, etc… at insertion site.

• Gather supplies:---clean pad or ‘chux’ to place supplies on at bedside---PPE---medication---alcohol wipes---empty 10ml syringe---bag of 0.9% saline (NS) with tubing

Pre-infusion

• Check/double-check of correct medication and dosage per facility policies and procedures

• Review of patient’s height, weight, body surface area (BSA), and any pertinent lab values

• Patient identification using two verifiers

Infusion

• Do you have “the three C’s?”…. correct patient, correct medication and dose, and correct VAD?

• Connect NS to VAD. Fluid should be fast and free-flowing. Chemotherapy should be connected at the lowest port closest to IV insertion site. Technique is known as “free-flowing side arm”.

Infusion

• When giving an IVP medication, blood return must be assessed every 2-3ml of infusate given. It should be given in a slow, steady push.

• The NS should be free-flowing the entire time.• Site assessment should be on-going during

administration.• End with NS flush of 100-200ml.

Peripheral IV Extravasation

Port Extravasation

Port Extravasation

Extravasation

• Inadvertent administration of vesicant medication or solution into the surrounding tissue (INS, 2011)

Extravasation• Any grade 4 infiltrate of a vesicant is considered an

extravasation• Incidence is similar for peripheral and central line

administration• Risk factors, such as fragile vessels, location of peripheral IV,

or catheter integrity are things to consider• Antidotes may be used, but are considered controversial in

some circles• Many non-chemotherapy agents have vesicant properties

(e.g., Dopamine, Epinephrine, Gentamycin, Mannitol)Reference: MGH NPROM 08-02-01

Early warning signs of possible extravasation

• Swelling• Stinging, burning, or pain at insertion site• IV flow that stops or slows• Resistance when pushing medication• Leaking around the port needle• Lack of blood return• Erythema, inflammation, or blanching

Other symptoms/damage resulting from extravasation

• Induration• Vesicle formation• Necrotic tissue damage can progress for six months• Tissue sloughing• Tendon, nerve, joint damage• Blistering at insertion site• Ulceration is usually seen 2-3 days to weeks

following extravasation

Treatment of Extravasation• IMMEDIATELY STOP INFUSION• Remove tubing from VAD, attach syringe to VAD, and aspirate

drug• If via PIV, elevate extremity• Notify physician ASAP• Locate your institution’s policies or call Pharmacy for specific

antidote• Application of heat or cold• Documentation in patient’s medical record• Documentation via safety report

DNA-binding agents

• Bind to the DNA in healthy cells when they extravasate into the tissue and cause cell death.

• Retained in the tissue for long periods of time and cause progressive tissue necrosis.

• Examples: anthracyclines (daunorubicin,doxorubicin, epirubicin, and idarubicin)

• Application of cold 15-20 minutes for four to six times daily for 24 to 48 hours

Non-DNA binding agents

• Do not bind to the DNA in healthy cells, and are metabolized in the tissue

• Examples: plant alkaloids (vincristine, vinblastine, and vindesine)

• Application of heat 15 to 20 minutes for four to six times daily for 24 to 48 hours

Some Available Antidotes

• Totect (dexrazoxane) for anthracycline extravasation

• Sodium thiosulfate for nitrogen mustard extravasation

• Hyaluronidase for vinca alkaloid extravasation

Helpful Websites

• www.ins1.org• www.ons.org• www.cdc.gov/niosh

References• Alexander, M., et al., Infusion Nursing. An Evidence-Based

Approach. INS, Saunders, 2010.• Policies and Procedures for Infusion Nursing. INS, fourth

edition, 2011.• Infusion Nursing Standards of Practice. INS, Lippincott, 2011.• Terry, et al. Intravenous Therapy: Clinical Principles and

Practice. INS. WB Saunders, 2001• Oncology Nurses Society (ONS) website• MGH Nursing Procedure Manual (NPROM)• MGH Clinical Policies and Procedures• MGH Infection Control Manual