State of the science of oncology vascular access devices.

OBJECTIVE: To present an overview of long-term vascular access devices (VADs), current maintenance care, controversies of care, and the need for VAD research.

DATA SOURCES: Current research and published literature.

CONCLUSION: Over the last four decades, VADs have become a standard part of caring for patients in all clinical settings. Despite the common use of VADs, current standardized procedures for maintenance care and managing complications are not available.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: The key to establishing evidence-based practice is to create a network of researchers, clinicians, and policy makers in a consortium to secure funding and implement multisite research. Only through research will traditional practice be challenged.