INTRODUCTION
Arterial blood pressure (BP) monitoring is an invasive system for directly tracking and measuring BP and finds its use in critically ill patients who require continuous hemodynamic monitoring and frequent arterial blood test. [1] Invasive monitoring requires the use of sophisticated equipment and specific skills for its management, which influence the quality of care, including the introduction of a catheter inside the arterial vessel. [2] Intra-arterial catheterization is considered the Gold Standard for a direct measurement of BP. [3] Therefore, the objective of this work is to outline the role of the nurse in the management of invasive BP monitoring, with particular attention to the possibility of independently managing the positioning of the arterial cannula itself.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A review was performed on the management of invasive BP monitoring, with a particular focus on the role of the nurse in arterial cannula positioning. The Pubmed database was consulted. The search strategy involved the use of Mesh terms and free terms, including ‘Hemodynamic Monitoring’ “Vascular Access Devices” “Critical Care Nursing” “Arterial cannulation”. The terms used were combined together using the Boolean operator “AND”. The Code of Conduct for the Nursing ProfessionsMand the National Collective Labor Agreement were also examinatedand, along with everyday practice of professionals in this field of action.
RESULTS
There are no studies in literature that clearly outline the role of the different professional figures in the management of invasive BP monitoring and there are no clear references regarding who is responsible for positioning the arterial cannula. The development of continuing education programs in the area of clinical reasoning skills for hemodynamic monitoring should be more emphasized. Furthermore, we should focus more on improving practical skills for hemodynamic monitoring. [4]
CONCLUSIONS
Advanced skills need to be officially acknowledge to the expert professional by the institutions they belong to, which should contribute to training by creating accredited company courses. Not only to protect assisted people and the professional, but also in order to enhance their work and give it the right recognition. Subsequently, studies could be carried out to evaluate the effective reduction in latency times between non-invasive monitoring and invasive monitoring on critically ill patients, if managed by the nurse.