An Evaluation of the UK Vessel Health and Preservation Framework (VHP): moving forward

 

Authors: Valya Weston, Carole Hallam, Susan Keeling, Adrienne Cousins, Andrew Barton

 

Background and objective

The UK VHP Framework was adapted and developed from a US model to provide guidance on vessel assessment and decision making based on individual need and risk assessment to aid select of the right vascular access device. The original UK VHP Framework, created in 2016, was reviewed and updated in 2020 (VHP2020). An evaluation to assess the impact of the VHP2020, understand whether it was being used, and its benefits and drawbacks of its use in practice was undertaken.

 

Method

• A 14-question online survey was developed and distributed to members of the Infection Prevention Society and the National Infusion and Vascular Access Society.
• Participation was voluntary and consent was implied through completion of the survey.
• The survey ran for 7 weeks from May to June 2022.
• Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected.

 

Results

There was a total of 88 respondents, of which 87.5% (77) were from the UK.  Of those that responded, 80% (70) had heard of the VHP with 76% (53) aware of the updated framework. 30% (34) were using the updated framework with two respondents stating their reasons for not using the updated Framework as

“We haven’t got around to study the updated version to understand the changes as yet”

“…it’s something we are working on”.

A selection of reported benefits and drawbacks of using the VHP2020 are listed in figures 1 and 2 respectively. Suggestions for improvement included adaption for use in paediatrics and to develop an electronic format.

 

Benefits from using the VHP2020

A selection of comments from the survey respondents:

‘Serves as a referencing guide to make informed choice for correct venous access device this enhances patient journey and prevents unnecessary venepunctures”

“Promotes professionalism and trust”

“Reducing placement of an unnecessary central venous catheter”

“For early CLABSI prevention in aiding healthcare team members to decide on the right device for a patient at that time”

Drawbacks from using the VHP2020

A selection of comments from the survey respondents:

“There is a lot of information contained within the Framework making it a bit 'busy'. However, it is designed in a way that allows for easy extrapolation of information from different sections to be used as is, or adapted for local use”

“Not all specialities think it applies to them as it so specialised”

Conclusion

Further work is needed to ensure the VHP2020 reaches all clinical teams performing vascular access in the UK. Those using the VHP2020 reported many benefits and also provided some useful suggestions for improvement. The suggestion of a web-based toolkit has been completed and work is underway to adapt the framework for paediatrics.

 

 

 

QR Code: VHP2020 web-based toolkit