WHAT IS THE MR VICTOR™ TOOL ?

The MR VICTOR™ (Multi Racial Visual Inspection Catheter Tool Observation Record) is a visual tool for healthcare professionals, which uses both pictures and scoring system to assess the levels of infection in central venous catheters. MR VICTOR™ has the unique characteristics of enabling the assessment of patients for both white and non-white skins and also provides guidance on the inspection of catheter exit sites and subsequent actions. It is envisaged that MR VICTOR™ will have a positive impact on the number of cases with the more severe signs of catheter exit site infections, cases of bacteraemia, antibiotic costs, length of stay, and the reduction in loss of vascular access. MR VICTOR™ is simple and easy to use and can be utilised in all areas of clinical practice and by independent patients in the community needing central venous catheter care.

HOW TO USE THE MR VICTOR™ TOOL?

The package includes A2 posters for display in the clinical area and A4 individualised posters that can be kept in the patient’s records for as long as the CVC is in situ. To score the patient’s CVC exit site the nurse needs to place the individual A4 chart against the patient’s exit site. Comparing the images against the patient a score can then be allocated. Scoring is from 0-4, 0 being no signs of infection and 4 being severe signs of infection. When the score has been decided it is then recorded on the relevant record chart. For each score there is a series of inspections and actions which must be adhered to. For the lifetime of the patient’s CVC the nurse must record at least a daily score and subsequent nursing care.The benefits of the design of MR VICTOR™ in this format are its ease of use and ability to audit.