Tag Archives: vascular access teams
Infusion Teams, where do we start?
Patients of all ages and diseases are subject to Infusion Therapy. When patients are admitted to the hospital or are having outpatient procedures, the nurse is the first health care professional that comes in contact with them. When assessing their
Leading the team
When we look at best practice, improving patient outcomes, implementing evidenced based protocols in the insertion, care and maintenance of vascular access devices, we have to look at nurses to be the leaders. Nurses are becoming the coordinators, leaders, teachers,
Add on devices, are you using them?
Connectors and Caps can play a key role in preventing complications with our vascular access devices. Caps can eliminate the compliance issue with scrubbing. Data states to “scrub” for 15 seconds before attaching your syringe. When you count this
WISVAN
Attended the WISVAN (Wisconsin Vascular Access Network) meeting last night at Fleming’s Steak House in Madison. The Dinner was sponsored by Jenna Mathison at BARD Access System. Thank you Jenna for a great dinner and presentation on your new Midline.
VAD Complications
Spent 24 hours over the past two weeks working with nurses on how to prevent complications from Vascular Access Devices at our annual skills fair. The most important thing to do with every patient no matter what device you are
China, After the line is placed
During my visit to China I learned that the Nurses are skilled in PICC line insertion. Some nurses place over 500 PICC lines a year. This is amazing! I have been placing PICC lines for 18 years and I can’t
Reporting infection rates outside the ICU
CDC released the April 2013 CDC/NHSN Protocol Corrections, Clarification, and Additions that surveillance will occur in any inpatient location where denominator data can be collected, which may include critical/intensive care units (ICU), specialty care areas (SCA) neonatal units including neonatal
Patient Assessment
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
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
Needle-stick pain
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
