Archive August 2008
Intravenous therapy misconnections
The FDA have issued a special edition of ‘Patient Safety News’, they are repeating a number of reports as
Insulin safety concerns
The FDA have issued a special edition of ‘Patient Safety News’, they are repeating a number of reports as they are some of the most important safety issues that continue to pose a public health concern. The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) recently described an increase in reports about mixups between insulin U-100 and [...]
Prescribing blood by nurses
The RCN Blood Transfusion Nursing Forum have reported on the prescription of blood by nurses. The report
BBraun sign IV therapy agreement
BBraun has signed a contract with Premier Purchasing Partners. Under the agreement, which will go into effect on February 1, 2009, Premier’s members, a network of approximately 2,000 hospitals and 53,000 healthcare facilities, will have access to BBraun’s portfolio of intravenous therapy products and solutions. This will include large-volume, PCA and syringe pumps and sets, IV [...]
Parenteral nutrition study day
Fresenius Kabi have announced the date for the 2008 Parenteral Nutrition Study Day – The Birth of a New
Free HCAI technology events
Smart Solutions are offering free HCAI technology events during September 2008. At the events you will hear from a keynote speaker and have the opportunity to put your questions directly to a member of the Smart Solutions project team. The Smart Solutions team will also be at the Infection Prevention Society annual conference at Harrogate International [...]
Smart solutions for HCAI
Smart Solutions is an NHS programme that aims to find the best products and technologies from across all industry sectors that could be used to fight healthcare associated infections (HCAIs). Smart Solutions are looking for companies with a product or technology that could help prevent the spread of MRSA or similar infections? Smart Solutions will have [...]
Needlefree port protection
marketwatch.com reported that the Ivera Medical Corporation today announced an exclusive license agreement with BD, for the worldwide rights to selected BD-issued and pending patents for an intravenous port protector designed to reduce the potential for healthcare-acquired bloodstream infections. “The licensing agreement between BD and Ivera broadens our existing patent applications and removes potential patent issues [...]
Blood culture time to positivity
Time to blood culture positivity can assist in excluding a catheter-related blood stream infection as the source an infective episode. This article by Ben-Ami et al (2008) examines this issue in relation to Candidemia. Ben-Ami, R., Weinberger, M., Orni-Wasserlauff, R., Schwartz, D., Itzhaki, A., Lazarovitch. T., Bash, E., Aharoni, Y., Moroz, I. and Giladi, M. (2008) [...]
Implanted peripheral arm ports
Kawamura et al (2008) suggest that implanted intravenous ports can be placed easily at peripheral sites and can be well maintained with minimal morbidity. They offer a good alternative to implanted chest ports. Kawamura, J., Nagayama, N., Nomura, A., Itami, A., Okabe, H., Sato, S., Watanabe, G. and Sakai, Y. (2008) Long-term outcomes of peripheral arm [...]
Internal jugular vein cannulation
Fujiki et al (2008) in the Surgery obesity journal examine the issue of right internal jugular vein cannulation in the morbidly obese patient. Fujiki, M., guta, C.G., Lemmens, H.J. and Brock-Utne, J.G. (2008) Is it More Difficult to Cannulate the Right Internal Jugular Vein in Morbidly Obese Patients than in Nonobese Patients? Obesity surgery. 18(9), p.1157-9. Abstract: BACKGROUND: The placement [...]
Skin-tunnelled catheter care
Green (2008) reviews the care and management of patients with skin-tunnelled catheters; the article aims to make healthcare staff and patients aware of potential complications to enable early identification and treatment. Green, J. (2008) Care and management of patients with skin-tunnelled catheters. Nursing Standard. 22(42), p.41-48. Abstract: Central venous access devices (CVADs) are used in secondary [...]
CVC tip placement
Bansal et al (2008) highlight the impact of suboptimal central venous access device tip placement on the incidence of early catheter malfunction. Bansal, A., Binkert, C.A., Robinson, M.K., Shulman, L.N., Pellerin, L. and Davison, B. (2008) Impact of Quality Management Monitoring and Intervention on Central Venous Catheter Dysfunction in the Outpatient Chemotherapy Infusion Setting. Journal of Vascular and [...]
Tunneled CVC insertion site care
Kerr et al (2008) suggest that a purse-string suture at the CVC tunnel exit site may reduce bleeding at the insertion site. Kerr, A., Pathalapati, R., Qiuhu, S. and Baumstein, D. (2008) Purse-string Suture to Prevent Bleeding after Tunneled Dialysis Catheter Insertion. Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology. 19(8), p.1176-1179. Abstract: Purpose: To determine whether placing [...]
Catheter exchange and air embolism
Kolbeck et al (2008) examine the issue of wire catheter exchange and the potential for air embolism, part of the process included clamping the catheter with the wire in place. We emphasize that clamping the catheter when a wire is inside the central venous access device may result in a wire embolism. However, the article adds to the [...]
IV specialist team combat MRSA
The introduction of a specialist intravenous team at a UK hospital is cited one of the new measures introduced to reduce MRSA infections. Tina Lloyd, The East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust’s lead infection control nurse, said “Infection control and patient safety is a priority for this trust”. Read the full story here.
IO compartment syndrome
Mohen and Sarwark (2008) present a case study that describes compartment syndrome following intraosseous infusion. Mohen, T.C. and Sarwark, J.F. (2008) Compartment syndrome following intraossseous infusion. Orthopedics. 31, p.815. Absract: “Initially described by Drinker et al in 1922, intraosseous infusion is a valuable technique in the resuscitation of critically I’ll pediatric patients in whom vascular access [...]
CVAD air embolism death
The California Department of public health have fined 18 hospitals for state health code violations, including causing the death of one patient by improperly inserting a jugular central venous access device. Full story at here.
BARD PICC includes Maxplus
Medegen Inc. announced today a co-marketing agreement between CR Bard and Medegen Inc. This will result in the Maxplus Clear needleless access device being included in Bards Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) kits. Press release here.
Synthetic heparin
Scientists reported that a fully synthetic version of heparin is closer to final development. Described at the ACS’s 236th national meeting, this non-animal version could improve patient safety. Click here for more information.
Blood transfusion and HIV
It was reported in Argentina that two intensive-care patients contracted HIV after receiving blood transfusions at public hospitals in the Argentine province of Cordoba. An unidentified donor gave blood at a Cordoba city hospital in December, testing negative for HIV, when the donor returned in May to give blood again, tests came back positive for the [...]
Intravenous fluid administration error
A Californian medical center is being investigated by the state Department of Public Health after a July 31 incident involving a patient and intravenous fluid administration. The error involved a medication that was administered at a rate greater than what was ordered, the hospital says. The patient who had too much intravenous fluid is in [...]
Acuset flow control award
Auckland entrepreneur Ray Avery won a Bayer Innovators Award for the Acuset flow controller, which administers intravenous fluids and medicines. Ray won the research and development category of the Bayer Innovators Awards, one of six categories encompassing a wide range of industries and sectors. The Acuset flow controller was recognised by the judge as simple and cheap [...]
Medical errors in Japan
Mainichi Daily News reports that the number of annual near misses in healthcare reached 200,000 for the first time in 2007, with more than 3,000 of them having been capable of turning fatal. The survey, which was announced by the Japan Council for Quality Health Care, also found that more than one fourth of the cases [...]
IV specialist job losses
HeraldTribune.com report that Sarasota Memorial Hospital will lay off 31 employees “Among the hardest-hit units is the hospital’s team of nurses that specialize in inserting intravenous lines. Eight of the 13 nurses were laid off. Sarasota Memorial will keep a smaller IV nurse team, and give all nurses a refresher course in starting IVs, officials said. [...]
Vincristine NPSA alert
The NPSA in the UK have reported on “…reports of serious incidents in hospitals outside of the UK in which doses of vinca alkaloids intended for intravenous administration have been administered by the intrathecal (spinal) route in error, updated advice has been issued to the NHS. The incidents include three cases where doses of vincristine had [...]
Patient dies after IV drug error
BBC News have reported that an inquest has heard that a woman died after accidentally being given the wrong drug. Joan Nicholls, 77, was admitted to Stafford General Hospital in September 2006 with suspected kidney failure. She was given a drip with an anaesthetic, instead of other drugs intended to restore her blood pressure. The BBC report [...]
Wireless MRI infusion pump
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a wireless version of the Madrad Inc. Continuum infusion pump, used for medication delivery during an MRI. The original Continuum system was introduced in 2002 and allows patients to remain connected to their intravenous medications while undergoing scans, instead of waiting until they were stable enough to remove [...]
Arterial line alert
The NPSA have reported “Arterial lines are routinely used in critical care areas for sampling arterial blood to measure blood gases, glucose and electrolytes. Patients may be harmed if the wrong infusion is given to keep the line open or when poor sampling leads to delayed or inappropriate treatment. The NPSA is aware of two [...]
Peripheral IV safety catheter
This article aims to illustrate that European health care providers are increasingly aware of the occupational risks of bloodborne infections such as HIV and hepatitis which can be transmitted by needlestick injuries and that political influence is growing to provide safer devices. Strauss, K.W. and Van Zundert, A.A.J. (2008) Peripheral intravenous catheter use in Europe: towards [...]
Venous access ports
Jordan et al (2008) in a recently published article describe the typical complications associated with venous access ports, which include venous thrombosis, port infection, extravasation, pinch off syndrome, dislocation, occlusion and catheter leakages. The also include management strategies to reduce these complications. Jordan. K., Behlendorf, T., Surov, A., Kegel, T., Maher, G. and Wolf, H.H. [...]
IV panda
This is not exactly recent news, but we could not resist sharing it! Reuters, October 25, 2007 reported on 9-year-old male panda Shishi, who was suffering from a high fever and required an intravenous drip at Longhu park in Huainan, east China’s Anhui province. Apparently, the panda became sick because it heard the roars of [...]
Investing in infusion nurse specialists
With a push toward outpatient services and changes in medical coverage, demand for outpatient infusion therapy nurses is expected to rise. On the LSJ.com website Nancy Trick, past president of the Great Lakes chapter of the Infusion Nurses Society, said she thinks hospitals will begin investing in infusion therapy specialists, even though the number of [...]
Chemotherapy assistant
A chemotherapy assistant from the Royal Hampshire County Hospital has been invited to present a poster detailing her role at a leading conference in Southampton. She is one of the first chemotherapy assistants in the south, a medical assistant specially trained in cannulation, taking blood and monitoring central lines and dressings. Click here for the [...]
IV catheter – nerve damage
The Saratogian reports on great news about the recipient of a donar liver and his living donar. However, the
Patients paying for IV flush
The Bath Chronicle, UK has reported on a story of a Bath shopkeeper with a vascular access device for chemotherapy who pays for her prescriptions to have it flushed twice weekly. The patient, Mrs Vaughan said: “At present, I am undergoing chemotherapy and thought all my treatment would be free. ”But I have to pay for the medication I have [...]
IV therapy course in Jamestown
Jamestown Community College’s Warren Center has been approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing to conduct an intravenous therapy course. The non-credit 20-hour course, designed primarily for licensed practical nurses, will be conducted on Saturdays, Sept. 20 through Oct. 4 at the Warren/Forest Higher Education Council complex. Course enrollment is open to health care [...]
IV therapy: extravasation-infiltration
Lisa Dougherty, Nurse Consultant Intravenous Therapy at the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust writes this excellent article. Lisa not only describes the differences between infiltration and extravasation, she also demonstrates that it is not only cytotoxic drugs that pose a risk. Dougherty, L. (2008) IV therapy: recognizing the differences between infiltration and extravasation. British Journal of [...]
Medication error prevention
Karen Cox describes in the British Journal of Nursing explores the relationship between rational choice theory and the systematic approach to error management in nursing. Cox, K. (2008) The application of crime science to the prevention of medication errors. British Journal of Nursing. 17(14), p 924-927. Abstract: “It is now accepted that human error in [...]
Intravenous iron
In an article published in the Nursing Standard George Peebles and Sean Fenwick describe the administration of intravenous iron in a short-stay hospital setting. Peebles, G. and Fenwick, S. (2008) Intravenous iron administration in a short-stay hospital setting. Nursing Standard. 22(48), p.35-41. Abstract: “Anaemia and iron deficiency are prevalent in the Western and developing world. They have [...]
Antimicrobial copper
ASTM International Committee B05 on Copper and Copper Alloys has created a new task group, TG9018, focused on antimicrobial applications of copper and copper alloys. The group’s formation follows an announcement by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency it will register copper alloys as antimicrobial materials with specific health claims. The EPA registration notes copper, brass and [...]
IPS announce IV forum
The Infection Prevention Society exists to promote the advancement of education in infection prevention and control for the benefit of the community as a whole, in particular by the provision of training courses, accreditation schemes, education materials, meetings and conferences. Following on from the mandatory surveillance of MRSA bacteraemia, there is now a recognition of the [...]
Infection prevention and procurement
Connected, the NHS Supply Chain journal has published an article that investigates the impact of procurement specialists on infection prevention. “The rise in Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAIs) in recent years is a key concern for the NHS. HCAIs not only jeopardise the provision of effective healthcare, but they also place a significant financial burden on trust funds. [...]
$1 million settlement following IV
A family has accepted a $1 million settlement for the 2005 death of one of their premature twin sons at Central DuPage Hospital. Benjamin Abderhalden was born Oct. 3, 2005, a premature 33-week-old twin, weighing 4 pounds and 11 ½ ounces, with an excellent prognosis for survival, according to a news release from the Chicago-based firm [...]
MRSA and peripheral IV
It has been reported that two patients at Macclesfield Hospital, UK have allegedly contracted MRSA because of poor cannulation technique and refresher training has been carried out. The Macclesfield Express reports that John Wilbraham, chief executive of the East Cheshire NHS trust, which runs the hospital, said: “MRSA is often linked to cleanliness but this is [...]
Intravenous Conference New Zealand
IVNNZ Inc have announced the 11th Intravenous Nursing New Zealand Conference is taking place 10-12th September 2008, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Auckland, New Zealand. This years keynote speaker will be Elizabeth Krzywda, Nurse Cliniician, USA. Click here for the conference flyer. Click here for an application form.
Scottish IV Access Conference
The Scottish Intravenous Access Network has announced its 4th Annual conference. The conference will be held at Beardmore Conference Hotel, Clydebank and is scheduled for the 23rd October 2008. The cost of this conference is a remarkable £45 per delegate (includes lunch). Contact Linda Kelly for an application form linda.kelly3@ggc.scot.nhs.uk The conference is aimed at all healthcare professionals involved in the [...]
Hand washing and hand gel
Manoj Jain, an infectious disease physician in Memphis and a medical director of Medicare’s quality improvement organization in Tennessee writes in the Washington Post about hand washing. I particularly like the section about how much time should be taken up every shift with hand washing. Manoj states “For one thing, rigorous hand washing is time-consuming. Guidelines [...]
Navilyst PASV intravenous catheter
Navilyst Medical, formerly Boston Scientific’s Fluid Management and Vascular Access businesses, today announced its new company name following the February 2008 acquisition by Avista Capital Partners, a private equity firm focused on growth-oriented healthcare, energy and media companies. Navilyst Medical’s vascular access products include the PASV(R) Technology, designed to automatically close after infusion, disconnection or aspiration, [...]
Intravenous catheter embolism
Thomas Sharon, Legal Nurse Consultant reminds us that we have a duty of care to ensure that the correct insertion procedure is followed when placing a peripheral intravenous catheter. Thomas writes… “When it comes to foreign body emboli, it seems that few nurses and doctors remain aware of this risk because so many violate the prime directive [...]
Tegaderm CHG IV dressing
The Journal of Infusion Nursing, (2008), 31(4) describes the recently launched 3M Tegaderm chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) IV securement dressing. “The new dressing combines the powerful antimicrobial protection of CHG with the simplicity of Tegaderm film dressings… Becasue the Tegaderm dressing and its integrated CHG gel pad are transparent, it allows continuous catheter site visualization, letting healthcare professionals detect any signs [...]
Power injection
Covidien, announced the U.S. commercial availability of Covidien Imaging Solutions’ contrast delivery system with radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology. The components integrate RFID technology to create a system that is designed to aid in patient safety by helping to reduce the risk of medical errors in radiology departments. Covidien’s contrast delivery system combines its unit-dose RFID-enabled [...]
Central catheter thrombosis
Nicholas Yacopetti writes about Central Venous Catheter-Related Thrombosis and makes recommendations for the treatment and prevention of this complication are explored. Yacopetti, N. (2008) Central Venous Catheter-Related Thrombosis: A Systematic Review. Journal of Infusion Nursing. 31(4). p.241-248. Abstract: “Thrombosis related to central venous catheters is often underappreciated and misdiagnosed, despite its incidence and impact on patient morbidity and mortality. [...]
HIV review
This article describes epidemiologic trends in HIV and reviews HIV transmission, testing, and treatment. It also discusses the risk of HIV transmission to healthcare workers from occupational exposures Petroll, A.E., Hare, C.B. and Pinkerton, S.D. (2008) The Essentials of HIV: A Review for Nurses. Journal of Infusion Nursing. 31(4), p.228-235. Abstract: “The US HIV epidemic began in [...]
Lyme disease update
Virginia Savely offers this update on Lymes disease and the role of the home infusion nurse in the management of the patient in reciept of IV antibiotics at home. Saverly, V.R. (2008) Update on Lyme Disease: The Hidden Epidemic. Journal of Infusion Nursing. 31(4), p.236-240. Abstract: “Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the [...]
External jugular catheter
The Infusion Nurse Society has published a position statement on the role of a qualified licensed registered nurse, who is proficient in infusion therapy, during the insertion, care and removal of external jugular catheters. INS (2008) The Role of the Registered Nurse in the Insertion of External Jugular Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters and External Jugular Peripheral Intravenous Catheters. Journal [...]
Medicare rule-1553-P update
Dr. Charles McIntosh, Vice President and Chief Medical Science and Technology Officer at Cook Group in Bloomington, Indiana has wriiten an interesting overview of the CMS Rule-1553-P. “As part of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) Rule-1553-P, effective October 1, 2008, Medicare will no longer pay for eight conditions that can be acquired by patients during [...]
