Tag Archives: VAT
The Importance of Vascular Access Teams
We have been building and promoting the use of vascular access teams all across the US for several years now. We know the value these teams bring to facilities, such as reduced supply costs and reduced health care workers time
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
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
AVA Nashville 2013
Attended the AVA Conference for my first time. What a great event. So many nurses, vendors and speakers that all have an interest in improving patient care. Networking was the best part for me. I was very interested in the
Catheter Clearance And Patient Satisfaction
A patient presented to our outpatient lab last week. I was called because they could not get a blood return. The patient had a double lumen power PICC and neither line had a blood return. She stated that “they” have
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
Lab Sampling from VAD’s
When drawing labs samples from the vascular access device draw only the volume of blood needed for accurate testing. INS states to consider blood sampling through a short peripheral catheter for patients who require multiple laboratory tests, are at
