Table 2.

AIEOP Recommendations for VADs Management *.

(A)Minimize the number of VADs accesses to prevent infections, doing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures at the same time (A) (B)Limit intermittent infusion (A II) (C)Use NFC (needle free connectors) (A II t) (D)Respect the aseptic technique in the management of VADs and during dressings, changes, using only sterile, single use devices (A r) (E)Minimize the number of additional devices (ramps, filters, caps, extensions) to reduce the risk of contamination and accidental disconnections (A It) (F)Carefully examine the catheter exit site and the sur- rounding area daily (without removing the dressing if not necessary) to identify any redness, tender- ness, edema, and secretions (A II) (G)Use 2% chlorhexidine gluconate in 70% isopropyl alcohol as a skin antiseptic to clean the exit site. Single-dose preparations of chlorhexidine reduce the risk of microbial contamination (A It)

* The grading of evidence based medicine is reported according to the European Society of Microbiology and Infectious Disease. VAD—vascular access device (VAD), AIEOP—the Italian Association of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology.