Clinical competence with central venous lines by resident doctors in a Nigerian teaching hospital

Introduction: Central venous catheterization has become not only common but a very useful clinical procedure in all well-established tertiary hospitals world over. This study aims to assess the competence of resident doctors with central venous lines in a tertiary institution in the subregion. Materials and Methods: A structured proforma was used to assess the information from resident doctors in four departments of the training institution. The result was analyzed with SPSS version 15.0 software program (SPSS 2006, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results: A total of 40 residents were assessed, 30 (75%) males and 10 (25%) females with a mean age of 35.08 ± 4.999 years. Twelve (30%) and 28 (70%) had spent 2 years in residency, respectively. Nineteen (47.5%) ticked that a line in the subclavian vein is a central line while 1 (2.5%) ticked same for femoral vein. Fifteen (37.5%) ticked correctly types of central line. Nineteen (47.5%) had observed the procedure in their institution and 7 (17.5%) elsewhere. Eleven (27.5%) knew that any experienced doctor could insert a central. Only 1 (2.5%) resident had inserted a central line. Ten (25%) knew that central line is inserted by ‘’SELDINGER’S’’ technique. Fourteen (35%), 4 (10%), and 20 (50%) said central line can be inserted only in the theatre, by the bedside, and both respectively. Thirty (75%) ticked correctly the uses of central line. Only 3 (7.5%) knew correctly a combination of central line complications. Twenty-five (62.5%) knew that chest X-ray is required after central line insertion. Conclusion: Based on knowledge assessment, the resident doctors in this institution are clinically incompetent in central venous line and efforts must be made to reverse the situation.