%0 Journal Article %A Jessica Schults %A Tricia Kleidon %A Vineet Chopra %A Marie Cooke %A Rebecca Paterson %A Amanda J Ullman %A Nicole Marsh %A Gillian Ray-Barruel %A Jocelyn Hill %A İlker Devrim %A Fredrik Hammarskjold %A Mavilde L Pedreira %A Sergio Bertoglio %A Gail Egan %A Olivier Mimoz %A Ton van Boxtel %A Michelle DeVries %A Maria Magalhaes %A Carole Hallam %A Suzanne Oakley %A Claire M Rickard %T International recommendations for a vascular access minimum dataset: a Delphi consensus-building study %D 2021 %R 10.1136/bmjqs-2020-011274 %J BMJ Quality & Safety %P 722-730 %V 30 %N 9 %X Background Data regarding vascular access device use and outcomes are limited. In part, this gap reflects the absence of guidance on what variables should be collected to assess patient outcomes. We sought to derive international consensus on a vascular access minimum dataset.Methods A modified Delphi study with three rounds (two electronic surveys and a face-to-face consensus panel) was conducted involving international vascular access specialists. In Rounds 1 and 2, electronic surveys were distributed to healthcare professionals specialising in vascular access. Survey respondents were asked to rate the importance of variables, feasibility of data collection and acceptability of items, definitions and response options. In Round 3, a purposive expert panel met to review Round 1 and 2 ratings and reach consensus (defined as ≥70% agreement) on the final items to be included in a minimum dataset for vascular access devices.Results A total of 64 of 225 interdisciplinary healthcare professionals from 11 countries responded to Round 1 and 2 surveys (response rate of 34% and 29%, respectively). From the original 52 items, 50 items across five domains emerged from the Delphi procedure.Items related to demographic and clinical characteristics (n=5; eg, age), device characteristics (n=5; eg, device type), insertion (n=16; eg, indication), management (n=9; eg, dressing and securement), and complication and removal (n=15, eg, occlusion) were identified as requirements for a minimum dataset to track and evaluate vascular access device use and outcomes.Conclusion We developed and internally validated a minimum dataset for vascular access device research. This study generated new knowledge to enable healthcare systems to collect relevant, useful and meaningful vascular access data. Use of this standardised approach can help benchmark clinical practice and target improvements worldwide.Data sharing is not applicable as no datasets generated and/or analysed for this study. The MDS is published with the manuscript. For additional information, please contact the primary investigator at j.schults@griffith.edu.au. %U https://qualitysafety.bmj.com/content/qhc/30/9/722.full.pdf