President
Prof. Fiammetta Piersigilli, MD, PhD
Associate Professor, Division of Neonatology, Saint Luc Hospital, Brussels; Louvain University, Belgium.
Community
Neonatal European Vascular Access Team
We are the Neonatal European Vascular Access Team, a group of researchers and scientists specialised in the field of neonatal vascular access. With this website, we want to promote the exchange of evidence-based guidelines and recommendations.
Our presentation
Who we are and what we stand for
Our goal is to increase awareness about the relevance of vascular access in the neonatal population. We aim to do this by encouraging the exchange of ideas and discussions amongst neonatologists, nurses and experts in vascular access.
We believe that improved knowledge about vascular access will enhance patient care and outcome.
This website has been created as a hub of information. It facilitates access to the latest research and international guidelines, as well as teaching videos and information regarding webinars, interesting congresses and hands-on courses. If you need support, you can contact the members of NEVAT via the Ask NEVAT page.
Finally, we hope that this website will promote the creation of a global network of peers and experts in the field of neonatology in every country and all specialties.
Building on our foundation as an expert network, NEVAT is now officially registered as a Non-Profit Organization (NPO). Our transition from an advisory body to a formal Executive Board reflects our commitment to advancing neonatal vascular access through structured leadership and international collaboration.
Key initiatives
NEVAT’s activities
The Seven Rights
A patient-centred framework for the right device, vessel, therapy and duration, while including the child, healthcare team, parents, comfort, catheter care and timely removal.
VAMP
The Vascular Access Management Plan promotes proactive planning based on an infant’s current and anticipated clinical needs.
Ten recommendations
A coordinated series covering strategy, device selection, insertion, catheter care, infection prevention, emergency access, analgesia and sedation.
Education and training
International congresses, courses, lectures, practical workshops and hands-on ultrasound training.
Research and innovation
Developing and evaluating insertion techniques, ultrasound-guided procedures and catheter-care strategies that improve outcomes and experience.
International community
Neonatologists, nurses and other healthcare professionals working together across countries and centres.
Our milestones
From founding to a European non-profit
2022
NEVAT is founded
Creation of the Neonatal European Vascular Access Team, bringing together healthcare professionals committed to improving vascular access care in newborn infants. Expansion of the network across Europe, fostering collaboration among neonatologists, nurses and vascular access experts from different countries.
2023
Education and knowledge sharing
Development of dedicated educational activities, hands-on training and international meetings to strengthen vascular access competencies in neonatal care.
2024
European scientific collaboration
Launch of multicentre projects, surveys and expert initiatives aimed at addressing practice variability and generating evidence in neonatal vascular access.
2025
Towards shared European standards
Development of multidisciplinary consensus recommendations covering vascular access strategy, device selection, insertion, care, maintenance, complication prevention and professional training.
2026
NEVAT becomes a non-profit organisation
Formal establishment of NEVAT as an independent European non-profit association, providing a sustainable framework for education, research and international collaboration.
2026
A new digital hub
Launch of the NEVAT online platform, bringing together scientific resources, educational content, videos, events and opportunities to join the network.
Next milestone
Building the future of neonatal vascular access
Expansion of the European network, multicentre research, structured training pathways, partnerships with families and professional societies, and the development of shared quality standards across Europe.
NEVAT in numbers
The network at a glance
61
Healthcare professionals involved
12
Scientific publications and consensus recommendations
21
Countries represented
Italy, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Austria, Bulgaria, The United Kingdom, Poland, Turkey, Ukraine, Albania, Slovakia, Latvia, Switzerland, Sweden, The United States, Norway, Hungary, Slovenia
Most important courses, workshops and congresses organised
- Neonatal vascular access course, 5th JENS, Rome 2023
- Neonatal vascular access course, EAPS, Vienna 2024
- Neonatal vascular access course, 6th JENS, Serbia 2025
- Neonatal vascular access course, CEPAS, Lyon 2027
- NEVAT neonatal vascular access course, Nijmegen 2026
- Neonatal vascular access course, Bulgaria 2024
- Neonatal vascular access course, Bulgaria 2025
- Neonatal POCUS and vascular access course, Bulgaria 2026
Affiliations
Our affiliates
AffiliateEuropean Society for Paediatric Research
NEVAT is an affiliate of the European Society for Paediatric Research.
AffiliateEuropean School of Neonatology
NEVAT is an affiliate of the European School of Neonatology.
AffiliateGlobal Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants
NEVAT is an affiliate of GFCNI, the global foundation for the care of newborn infants.
AffiliateGlobal Vascular Access Network
NEVAT is an affiliate of GloVANet, the Global Vascular Access Network.
Executive Board
The team behind NEVAT
Vice President
Mr. Matheus (Roland) van Rens, MaANP, NNP, PhD fellow
Matheus (Roland) van Rens is an internationally recognized neonatal vascular access researcher, educator, and clinical innovator, dedicated to advancing evidence-based practice, standardization, and safer vascular access through research, education, and global collaboration.
Treasurer
Dr. Robin van de Lee
Neonatologist, Amalia Children's Hospital, Radboudumc, Nijmegen.
Secretary
Mrs. Suzy Van Eenoo
Retired nurse with a passion for neonatal vascular access and an experienced international trainer. As Secretary of NEVAT, she supports education and collaboration.
Executive Board Member
Assoc. Prof. Bernhard Schwaberger, MD, PhD
Deputy Head, Division of Neonatology, Medical University of Graz, Austria. Research interests include neonatal vascular access, perfusion and functional imaging.
Executive Board Member
Dr. Giovanni Barone
Consultant Neonatologist, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Infermi Hospital, Rimini.
Active members
26 active members
All active members
Join NEVAT
To become a member, send us an email with a short bio and an explanation of why you would like to join NEVAT. That is all.
Contact NEVAT
Questions about vascular access, the Scientific Corner or NEVAT?
Neonatal European Vascular Access Team (vzw NEVAT)
Vereniging zonder winstoogmerk (vzw), Belgium
Company number 1036.131.828 RPR Brussels