Peripheral and Central Vascular Access: Implantation and Management

The Level I Master’s Program in “Peripheral and Central Vascular Access: Implantation and Management” is divided into 23 modules that will cover the following topics:

• Module 1
  Internal Medicine Patients and Combination Therapies: Patients with Poor Peripheral Venous Access
• Module 2
  Malnutrition During Hospitalization. Coagulopathies in Patients with Liver Disease and Venous Accesses
• Module 3
  Peripheral and central vascular access; classification of vascular devices by use and design characteristics; understanding of the various implantable components
• Module 4
  Peripheral and central vascular access; classification of vascular devices by use and design characteristics; understanding of the various implantable components
• Module 5
  Techniques for implanting central-access and peripheral-access central catheters. Techniques for implanting fully subcutaneous catheters. Complications associated with venous catheter implantation
• Module 6
  Techniques for implanting central-access and peripheral-access central catheters. Techniques for implanting fully subcutaneous catheters. Complications associated with venous catheter implantation
• Module 7
  Tunneled venous catheters in chronic conditions
• Module 8
  Central Venous Access for Artificial Nutrition
• Module 9
  Central Venous Access in Emergency Care
• Module 10
  Central Venous Catheters in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: The Upper Extremities and Arteriovenous Fistulas
• Module 11
  Nursing Care and Complications of Venous Vascular Access
• Module 12
  Nursing Care and Complications of Venous Vascular Access
• Module 13
  Blood Medications
  Module 14
• Clinical ultrasound, post-procedural X-rays
• Module 15
• Mechanical and Thrombotic Complications: Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment 
• Module 16
  Infectious Complications: Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment
• Module 17
  Venous Access in Oncology and for Cancer Patients Receiving Home Care
• Module 18
  Peripheral and Central Venous Access in Hematology
• Module 19
  Pathophysiology of Volume Replacement
• Module 20
  Venous Access in Critically Ill Patients
• Module 21
  Venous Access in Pediatric Patients
• Module 22
  Informed Consent and Medical-Legal Responsibilities Related to Venous Access
• Module 23
  The Fibrin Sleeve

The purpose of the Master’s program is to provide students with an in-depth understanding and advanced knowledge of the placement and management of peripheral and central venous access, including all their clinical, patient care, and nursing implications.

The Master’s program is designed for nursing staff who may be involved in the placement and/or management of venous access devices in various clinical areas: intensive care, oncology and hematology, gastroenterology, surgery, infectious diseases, pain management, palliative care, and home care; Furthermore, it prepares professionals to play a role in specialized, multiprofessional, and multidisciplinary healthcare interventions, ensuring appropriate assessment, adequate specialized care, proper allocation of resources, cost containment, and strong professional accountability for the care provided.

The program integrates the general skills acquired during basic and post-basic training with the goal of training vascular access specialists capable of interacting with patients and with healthcare professionals in various care settings, collaborating with clinical professionals on operational decisions and planning procedures to ensure high-quality, efficient care and effective outcomes.

The master’s program lasts one year, for a total of 1,500 hours, corresponding to 60 academic credits (CFU), and will be structured as follows:

• In-person lectures: 240 hours (30 CFU)
• In-person labs: 40 hours (5 CFU)
• Internship: 270 hours (18 CFU);
• Final Exam: 175 hours (7 CFU).

Attendance at the master's program is mandatory. To earn the degree, each participant must attend at least 70% of the scheduled hours.
At the end of the training program, there will be a final assessment consisting of the presentation of a project on one of the topics covered during the course. The following will be evaluated: knowledge, critical analysis skills, and communication skills.

The degree to be awarded by the University of Foggia is a Level 1 Master’s degree in “Peripheral and Central Vascular Access: Implantation and Management.”
This degree has academic standing and requires the completion of 60 CFU as part of the student’s academic program.

The Master's program is open to anyone who holds one of the following degrees:

• Bachelor's Degree - SNT/1 Degree Category in Nursing and Health Professions
• A university degree in nursing or other health care professions, or a degree obtained under the regulations in effect prior to Ministerial Decree 509/99, and/or equivalent qualifications.