A diverse medical team collaboratively managing a complex network of veins and arteries.

Access Granted: How Vascular Access Teams Are Revolutionizing Patient Care

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Avery Sinclair in Health & Wellness November 2026 • 4 min read.

"Discover the critical role of vascular access teams in improving patient outcomes, reducing infections, and streamlining healthcare costs."


Hospital-acquired infections are a significant and frequent complication in healthcare, posing a serious risk to patient safety. Data from Italy in 2011 underscored the critical need to address these infections, which are directly correlated with healthcare assistance. These infections not only endanger patients but also place a substantial burden on healthcare systems.

Specifically, the data revealed that for every 100 patients admitted to a hospital, approximately 6.3% acquired an infection attributable to the clinical setting. This alarming rate climbed to 14.8% in intensive care units and affected 13% of patients with rapidly fatal conditions, according to the McCabe classification. Patients with invasive devices were particularly vulnerable, with 21.4% of those with central venous catheters and 13% of those with urinary catheters experiencing infections.

The most frequently reported infections included respiratory infections (24.1%), urinary tract infections (20.8%), surgical site infections (16%), and bacteremia (15.8%). This increase in hospital-acquired infections is a consequence of technological advancements in healthcare. While these innovations allow for the survival of high-risk patients, they also facilitate the entry of microorganisms into normally sterile body sites through devices such as central venous catheters (CVCs), pacemakers, prostheses, and urinary catheters.

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VASTs and Standard Practice

A systematic review examined whether vascular access specialist teams (VASTs) improve vascular access device cannulation success and reduce adverse events during intravenous therapy for hospitalized adults. The review used Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses standards. VASTs are presented as a potential way to improve patient health, reduce catheterization discomfort, and enhance satisfaction, but the supplied sources do not establish these benefits as definitive.

The Power of Dedicated Vascular Access Teams

A diverse medical team collaboratively managing a complex network of veins and arteries.

To combat these challenges, healthcare facilities are increasingly adopting safe care practices aimed at preventing and controlling the transmission of infections both within hospitals and in non-hospital settings. Implementing control programs at various levels, from national to local, is essential. The adoption of standardized protocols and procedures (often referred to as bundles), developed based on scientific evidence, helps to regulate and standardize effective activities that reduce the risk of infection.

These protocols also promote behavioral changes among medical and nursing staff in managing intravascular devices. Among these devices, central venous catheters (CVCs) are commonly used for various purposes but are associated with central venous catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs). The rate of CRBSIs ranges from 3.8 to 6.6 episodes per 1,000 catheter days for temporary CVCs and 1.1 to 5.5 episodes per 1,000 catheter days for permanent CVCs.

  • Reduced Infection Rates: Implementation of vascular access teams has led to a significant reduction in infection rates associated with CVCs and other vascular access devices.
  • Improved Patient Outcomes: Patients experience fewer complications, shorter hospital stays, and an overall enhanced quality of life.
  • Cost Savings: By preventing infections and complications, vascular access teams contribute to significant cost savings for healthcare facilities.
  • Enhanced Staff Competence: Nurses and medical staff receive specialized training, leading to improved skills and knowledge in vascular access management.
  • Standardized Practices: Vascular access teams ensure consistent and evidence-based practices, reducing variability in care and improving reliability.
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Evidence and Individualized Access Decisions

Only three studies in the cited systematic review analyzed a main outcome comparing VAST activity with a comparator or control, prompting a secondary analysis of intervention effectiveness. A separate review concluded that high-quality evidence is insufficient to support or reject implementing a VAST. For hemodialysis access, the UK Kidney Association guideline notes that mortality alone is not an adequate basis for access advice, while the optimal initial permanent access for elderly patients remains controversial and depends on factors including comorbidities, life expectancy, and duration of catheter dependence.

Reported Differences in Access Outcomes

The CMS ESRD Vascular Access TEP Summary Report states that 63% of prevalent US dialysis patients use an arteriovenous fistula as regular dialysis access under the Fistula First, Catheter Last initiative. In a study of a vascular access team, central line utilization decreased by 45.2% and central line-associated bloodstream infection incidence decreased by 90%. A randomized controlled trial found signs or symptoms of inflammation in 21.7% of patients whose catheters were started by house staff and maintained by ward nurses, compared with 7.9% among patients whose catheters were maintained by an IV team (P<.001).

A study conducted in a Swedish hospital over six years demonstrated a marked reduction in bacteremia among patients with CVCs after the establishment of a surveillance team. Although the study focused on intensive care and resuscitation units, the conclusions are applicable to all departments where such devices are used. Similarly, the establishment of vascular access teams in dialysis units has yielded comparable results.

The Future of Vascular Access Teams

The implementation of vascular access teams represents a pivotal step toward improving patient care, reducing healthcare costs, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. As healthcare systems continue to evolve, the role of these specialized teams will undoubtedly expand, driving further advancements in patient safety and quality of care.

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Market Forecasts and Global Questions

A market report projects that the vascular access market will reach $5.92 billion by 2025 and discusses trends and forecasts for 2026–2034. A 2022 global outlook article says specialized vascular access training organized into teams was shown to improve patient outcomes, clinical efficiency, and cost savings, while global perspectives on VAT benefits, organization, challenges, and opportunities remain inadequately explored. Another supplied source reports that up to 90% of hospitalized patients undergo catheter placement, underscoring the scale of vascular access use.

Perspectives on VATs in Practice

Morrow et al. (2022) explored the global vascular access team landscape through detailed perspectives. The work addressed challenges, clinical and clinico-economic impacts, and underresearched aspects of team initiation, data dissemination, and measures or benchmarks for success. The supplied source describes these as areas explored in the study rather than providing specific outcome figures.

What related evidence adds to the team picture

A separate analysis found that catheters inserted by vascular access teams were less likely to dislodge. This outcome concerns device stability, rather than proving an overall improvement in every aspect of care.[1]

Guidance describes ultrasound-guided placement of central venous catheters as a way to reduce insertion attempts and mechanical complications when the technology is available; this is a procedural context, not a direct comparison of team models.[2]

A study of hospital-based teams found their role in device-selection decisions could be limited, including instances of physician resistance. This highlights that insertion expertise and influence over access decisions are distinct parts of team practice.[3]

What remains unanswered about vascular access teams

  • How much do insertion outcomes depend on teams having a role in device selection, when that role may be constrained in practice?[3]
  • How broadly do findings from clinical data on children receiving maintenance hemodialysis apply beyond that population?[4]

Questions about catheter care

Why can a failed peripheral catheter matter beyond the insertion itself?

Failure can interrupt intravenous therapy and require another placement, with potential pain, distress, complications, and additional demands on health-system resources.[5]

Sources

  1. Peripheral intravenous catheter failure: A secondary analysis of risks from 11,830 catheters. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  2. Summary of Recommendations | Infection Control | CDC (www.cdc.gov)
  3. The role of hospital-based vascular access teams and implications for patient safety: A multi-methods study. (shmpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
  4. Vascular Access Choice, Complications, and Outcomes in Children on Maintenance Hemodialysis: Findings From the International Pediatric Hemodialysis Network (IPHN) Registry. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  5. Incidence of peripheral intravenous catheter failure among inpatients: variability between microbiological data and clinical signs and symptoms (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

About this Article -

Written with AI assistance from published research, and reviewed by the Mystum team. See our About page for more information.

Everything You Need To Know

1

How do vascular access teams help in reducing infection rates in healthcare settings, particularly concerning central venous catheters?

Vascular access teams significantly reduce infection rates, especially those related to central venous catheters (CVCs) and other vascular access devices. By implementing standardized protocols and specialized training, these teams minimize the entry of microorganisms into the body, leading to fewer bloodstream infections and other complications. This is particularly crucial given the high rates of hospital-acquired infections associated with invasive devices.

2

In what ways do vascular access teams improve patient outcomes beyond just reducing infection rates?

Vascular access teams improve patient outcomes by reducing complications such as bloodstream infections, leading to shorter hospital stays and an enhanced quality of life. The implementation of standardized practices ensures that patients receive consistent, evidence-based care, which minimizes variability and improves reliability. Furthermore, specialized management of devices like central venous catheters (CVCs) helps prevent infections and other adverse events.

3

How do vascular access teams contribute to cost savings for healthcare facilities?

By preventing infections and complications, vascular access teams contribute to significant cost savings for healthcare facilities. Hospital-acquired infections, such as those associated with central venous catheters (CVCs), not only endanger patients but also place a substantial financial burden on healthcare systems. Reducing the incidence of these infections through standardized protocols and specialized care directly translates into lower treatment costs and improved resource utilization.

4

How do vascular access teams enhance the competence of nurses and medical staff in managing vascular access devices?

Dedicated vascular access teams enhance staff competence through specialized training in vascular access management. This training equips nurses and medical staff with improved skills and knowledge, allowing them to effectively manage intravascular devices like central venous catheters (CVCs) and urinary catheters. As a result, healthcare professionals are better prepared to prevent and control infections, adhering to standardized practices and evidence-based guidelines.

5

How do vascular access teams ensure standardized practices and continuous improvement in patient care?

Vascular access teams ensure standardized practices by implementing consistent and evidence-based protocols across healthcare facilities. These protocols, often referred to as bundles, regulate and standardize effective activities to reduce the risk of infection associated with devices like central venous catheters (CVCs). This uniformity in care delivery minimizes variability, improves reliability, and fosters a culture of continuous improvement in patient safety and quality of care.

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