Comparison of the efficacy and cost of central venous catheter fixation devices
Royal Perth Bentley Group
$15,000
Coordinating Principal Investigator: Ms Shirene Mattaboni
Co-Investigators: Mr Carl Yulie, A/Prof Vicki Patton
A new research project at Royal Perth Hospital is tackling a longstanding challenge in patient care — how to best secure peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) lines to reduce complications and enhance patient safety.
PICC lines are vital for delivering treatment to patients with serious conditions such as infections, cancer, or those requiring long-term IV therapy. While adhesive securement devices have been introduced to replace sutures for both comfort and convenience, clinicians remain divided on which device performs best. Concerns about skin injuries, device migration, and infection continue to arise, yet no high-quality trial has provided clear answers.
This research trial funded by RPH Research Foundation, led by Ms Shirene Mattaboni and supported by Royal Perth Hospital’s Vascular Access Team, will compare two widely used securement devices: 3M Tegaderm IV Dressing™ and Bard Statlock™. Patients admitted with new or existing PICC lines will be allocated to one of the two devices, with outcomes monitored across several safety indicators including suspected bloodstream infection and dressing-related complications.
The goal is simple: establish clear evidence to guide clinical best practice and deliver the safest, most reliable PICC care for patients.
A chemotherapy patient with lived experience of PICC line complications has contributed to the study design, ensuring it reflects real-world issues faced by patients, particularly around skin injury and comfort.
This is applied research at its best — directly addressing a clinical question with the potential to influence hospital protocols, nursing practice, and ultimately, improve patient outcomes.