Connected Health

What are we needing to know to choose the right vascular access device for our patients? Our team spends a lot of time assessing the patient and their medical chart before we meet the patient.  We need to know type

Ultrasound use for vascular access is being used more frequently for insertion of several vascular access devices.  Using ultrasound for vein access in “difficult”  patients can decrease the number of  attempts and anxiety for our patients.  We have a team

I recently read an article in the Journal of Infusion  Nursing, March/April 2013, that really hits home with me.  Here is what it had to say:  ” Many health care professionals view venipuncture, including the IV catheter insertions, as quick

A patient came to the urgent care today with a triple lumen power PICC.  The patient was from a local skilled nursing facility and was being treated for an infection.   The nurse called and stated they were unable to

What is your rate of success in placing PICC lines?  If you can see and feel the vein,  then probably pretty successful.   The challenge lies in the patient that has no visible access.  The PICC kits usually come with

Infusion Ports, also called Implanted Chest Ports is a Vascular Access Device that is placed under the skin of the chest wall (planted), and the catheter tip is fed to the lower third of the SVC.  Ports are a great

Placing a Midline in the Emergency Department is not our first choice for venous access. We are thinking get a PIV in and start treating.  The PIV takes about 5 minutes to place.  Why not be proactive for our patients

I recently taught the lab staff how to use ultrasound for lab draws.   They were so excited to learn this skill.  It didn’t take long for them to put this skill to work!  We had a “difficult stick” on

We appreciate articles like this one from Lisa Bonsall:“We know the importance of preventing healthcare-associated infections to improve patient outcomes; this has been one of the National Patient Safety Goals of the Joint Commission for years. As I put together the resources

Nurses who care for CVC’s (Central Venous Catheters) are always asking “how do I identify the connector?”  This is a challenge for all of us.  If you take care of the patient with the line placed in your facility, then