Archive October 2008
Vivitrol injection site reaction
FDA is alerting healthcare professionals about the risk of serious reactions at the injection site among patients treated with Vivitrol (naltrexone). Vivitrol is administered intramuscularly to treat alcohol dependence. FDA has received nearly 200 reports of injection site reactions, including cellulitis, induration, hematoma, abscess, sterile abscess and necrosis. Some patients needed surgical intervention. The risk may [...]
Vascular access training
The NHS Core Learning Unit presented a poster at IPS 2008 in Harrogate, UK. The poster describes the launch of an online vascular access training programme. The programme is available at www.corelearningunit.nhs.uk Reducing healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) and increasing cleanliness across all care settings is everyone’s responsibility. Commissioned by the NHS Core Learning Unit, Thames [...]
Haemodialysis catheter infection reduction
Taylor, C., Cahill, J., Gerrish, M. and Little, J. (2008) A new haemodialysis catheter-locking agent reduces infections in haemodialysis patients. Journal of Renal Care. 34(3), p.116-20). Abstract: Background: Intravenous catheters for haemodialysis increase the risk of sepsis. This study investigates the use of a taurolidine/citrate catheter-locking agent for patients receiving hospital-based haemodialysis, auditing the number and cost [...]
Jet injection of lidocaine
Spanos, S., Booth, R., Koenig, H., Sikes, K., Gracely, E. and Kim, I.K. (2008) Jet Injection of 1% buffered lidocaine versus topical ELA-Max for anesthesia before peripheral intravenous catheterization in children: a randomized controlled trial. Pediatric Emergency Care. 24(8), p.511-515. Abstract: BACKGROUND: Peripheral intravenous (PIV) catheter insertion is a frequent, painful procedure that is often performed [...]
Needlestick and insulin pens
Kiss, P., De Meester, M. and Braeckman, L. (2008) IV injuries in Nursing Homes: The Prominent Role of Insulin Pens. Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology. Abstract: Causes and circumstances related to 162 needlestick injuries in nursing homes were analyzed. In addition to nurses, geriatrics helpers were found to be an important occupational group at risk. Insulin [...]
Impact of central line education program
Santana, S.L., Furtado, G.H.C., Wey, S.B. and Medeiros, E.A.S. (2008) Impact of an Education Program on the Incidence of Central Line–Associated Bloodstream Infection in 2 Medical-Surgical Intensive Care Units in Brazil. Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology. Abstract: An intervention study was undertaken to evaluate the impact of an education program on the incidence of central line–associated [...]
Older blood increases infection risk
A new study by US researchers found that patients given transfusions of blood stored for more than 4 weeks were nearly three times as likely to develop urinary-tract infections, pneumonia and infections associated with intravenous lines, as those getting fresher blood. US researchers looked at the rate of hospital infections in 422 patients against the age [...]
Community infusion stand
A medical innovation born in the West Midlands is poised to play a crucial role in helping to save millions of lives across the world. Medical Devices Technology International (MDTi), which has been shortlisted for a prestige Lord Stafford Award for Innovation, has signed a deal for its ‘Hoo-kOn’ intravenous community infusion stand to be used by [...]
Chatting on phone while taking blood
A hospital nurse has been suspended for allegedly chatting on her mobile phone while carrying out a blood test. Calista Ukaegbu is said to have used hand signals to tell the woman patient what to do because she was so engrossed in her conversation. When the patient made her displeasure clear she mouthed the word ‘sorry’ but carried [...]
Curos port protection
Ivera Medical Corporation, a San Diego (CA) based medical device company today announced that it received FDA 510(k) clearance to begin marketing its Curos™ Port Protector, an innovative medical device that decontaminates needleless intravenous (I.V.) access ports, and helps to prevent touch and airborne contamination. The Curos Port Protector is designed to reduce patient exposure to [...]
Power injectable antibiotic CVC
Cook Medical Brings Power Injection Capability of Contrast Media to Spectrum® Antimicrobial Central Venous Catheter Line. Responding to industry demand for an antimicrobial impregnated central venous catheter capable of withstanding pressure injection rates required for CT scans, Cook Medical has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration 510(k) clearance for a power injectable indication for sizes 7-10 [...]
Syringes reused during endoscopy
Public health officials in Alberta are looking for 2,700 former patients of a small hospital in the western Canadian province, after staff there reused syringes to administer medication through intravenous lines. The Alberta government said on Monday that staff at a health complex in High Prairie, a small town about 300 km (186 miles) northwest of the [...]
Needlestick fine
Allcare Dental and Dentures, has agreed to pay $44,550 in fines to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration after an employee was accidentally stuck with a used needle. Allcare Dental and Dentures admitted no wrongdoing in settling the allegations of safety violations. Click here for the full story. More IV news at IVTEAM
Routine IV replacement challenged
Fujita, T. and Namiki, N. (2008) Replacement of peripheral intravenous catheters. Journal of Clinical Nursing. 17(18), p.0962-1067 Abstract: Research in Brief series. Observational research in Japan recording peripheral intravenous catheterisation activities over a 3 month period, including frequency of, and reasons for, catheter replacement and incidence of catheter-related complications. Guidelines from the US Centers for Disease [...]
PICC versus peripheral IV catheter
Periard, D., Monney, P., Waeber, G., Zurkinden, C., Mazzolai, L., Hayoz, D., Doenz, F., Zanetti, G., Wasserfallen, J.B. and Denys, A. (2008) Randomized controlled trial of peripherally inserted central catheters vs. peripheral catheters for middle duration in-hospital intravenous therapy. Journal of Thrombosis & Haemostasis. 6(8), p.1538-7836. Abstract: Summary. Introduction: Intravenous (i.v.) therapy may be associated with [...]
Implantable port devices in pediatrics
Hooda, B., Lalani, G., Fadoo, Z. and Billoo, G. (2008) Implantable Port Devices Are Catheters of Choice for Administration of Chemotherapy in Pediatric Oncology Patients—A Clinical Experience in Pakistan. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 1138(1), p.43-46. Abstract: Phlebitis and cellulitis are commonly encountered problems in oncology patients receiving chemotherapy through peripherally inserted intravenous [...]
Fracture of a Broviac catheter
Puvabanditsin, S., Garrow, E., Weerasethsiri, R., Patel, N., Davis, S.E. and Azuma, M. (2008) Fracture of a Broviac catheter in a low-birth-weight infant. Hong Kong Medical Journal. 14(5), p.411-3. Abstract: Central venous catheters are widely used in children, particularly in very-low-birth-weight infants in whom long-term access to the venous system is required. This may be achieved [...]
Preventing peripheral intravenous infection
Morris, W. and Tay, M.H. (2008) Strategies for preventing peripheral intravenous cannula infection. British Journal of Nursing (IV therapy supplement). 17(19), p.S15-21. Abstract: Peripheral intravenous (IV) cannulation is a procedure that involves breaching the integrity of the skin, exposing patients to the risk of infection. Acquisition of infection has associated costs both for patients and the [...]
Intravenous therapy safety assessment
Scroggs, S. (2008) Improving patient safety using clinical needs assessments in IV therapy. British Journal of Nursing (IV therapy supplement). 17(19), p.S22-28. Abstract: A clinical needs assessment (CNA) consulting programme was initiated with the NHS Healthcare Purchasing Consortium to improve safety and reduce risk in intravenous (IV) therapy through standardization, best practice guideline adherence and [...]
Intravenous therapy guide
Scales, K. (2008) Intravenous therapy: a guide to good practice. British Journal of Nursing (IV therapy supplement). 17(19), p.S4-12. Abstract: This article provides an overview of the principles of good practice that underpin intravenous (IV) therapy. The indications for choosing the IV route and selecting an appropriate vascular access device (VAD) are explained. Common inserion sites for [...]
Seat belt associated central line fracture
Ghayyda, S.N., Roland, D. and Cade, A. (2008) Seat belt associated central line fracture-A previously unreported complication in cystic fibrosis. Journal of cystic fibrosis. 7(5), p.448-9. Totally implantable venous access devices (TIVAD) are used widely in the management of cystic fibrosis (CF). They have been shown to be safe and advantageous in the long term administration of intravenous [...]
Community IV therapy
Kayley, J. (2008) Effective practice in community IV therapy. British Journal of Community Nursing. 13(7), p.323-4, 326-8. The government has policies for care in the community, reducing acute admissions and length of hospital stays and greater patient choice (Department of Health (DH) 2002; DH, 2006) but the NHS has no overall strategy for community intravenous (IV) therapy. [...]
Vein Entry Indicator Device – VEID
Simhi, E., Kachko, L, Bruckheimer, E. and Katz, J. (2008) A Vein Entry Indicator Device for Facilitating Peripheral Intravenous Cannulation in Children: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Trial. Anesthesia and Analgesia. 107(5), p.1531-1535. BACKGROUND: Vascular access is often technically difficult in children because of the small caliber and impalpability of the veins. In this study, we sought to [...]
Catheter-related sepsis
Tzortzis, S., Apostolakis, S., Xenakis, K., Spiropoulos, G. and Lazaridis, K. (2008) Catheter-related septic thrombophlebitis of the superior vena cava involving the atrial septum: a case report. Cases Journal. 1:272. Background Intravascular catheters provide necessary vascular access, for intravenous therapy, blood sampling and pressure monitoring. However, their use is often associated with serious local and systemic [...]
Leaking central line
A UK hospital have apologised to the family of a man who died following ”shortcomings” in the care he received. The 64-year-old, known only as “Mr C,” died of a heart attack at the Western General Hospital in 2006. He had been admitted four days earlier when his condition worsened following bowel surgery. After a complaint to the Scottish [...]
Peripheral catheter infection
Daily Nation report how an infection following a peripheral catheter has resulted in the amputation of a babies arm. Ms Wanjiru initially took her daughter to Kenyatta “around August 18” for pneumonia treatment. As part of the treatment in ward 3A, Lesley was put on an intravenous drip. The drip was placed on her left hand, but when [...]
Patient safety congress 2009
Health Service Journal and the Nursing Times are delighted to announce the launch of the Patient Safety Congress 2009. Following the immense success of the inaugural event last May, which saw 800 delegates and over 100 speakers, we are pleased to bring you early information about next year’s event. We have again teamed up with the National Patient Safety [...]
Bare below the elbows
Martin Kiernan reports on the policy statement published last week from the Royal College of Surgeons of England. The key sentence was as follows. “Intuitive interventions that have no evidence base and whose implementation does not harm patient safety or outcomes should be accommodated where practically possible, though priority should be given to evidence-based best practice. For [...]
Safety needle launched at MEDICA
The world’s first manually retractable hypodermic safety needle, designed to significantly reduce the incidence of needlestick injuries, will be launched at MEDICA 2008, Messe Düsseldorf, Germany. Unveiled at the largest healthcare technologies trade fair in the world, the revolutionary needle is just one of the infection fighting devices being showcased by UK based company InterVene Ltd. The organisation’s [...]
Symposium includes needlestick
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), through the Division of Safety Research, has a broad research program focused on preventing traumatic occupational injuries. As part of this effort, NIOSH is hosting the fourth National Occupational Injury Research Symposium (NOIRS) on October 21–23, 2008, at the Sheraton Station Square in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. NOIRS is the [...]
Infusion stolen from patients
A registered nurse under suspension infiltrated some of Melbourne’s leading public and private hospitals to remove intravenous pain-relief drugs from patients – including a dying woman – to support her heroin addiction. The nurse engaged Glenda Saultry, a terminally ill patient, in conversation and, after checking her medical chart, removed her infusion pump, which was connected to [...]
Intravenous history
The British Columbia Medical Association Medical Museum has placed its collection of medical devices online. The example shown in the photograph is a syringe set from 1900-1914. The museum describe the set as: ”Rectangular hinged lidded case with lift-out rack holding 5 graduated frosted glass syringe barrels [20cc, 10cc, 5cc, 2cc and 1cc for insulin] with fixed tapered [...]
Vene-K disposable tourniquet
Vygon have just launched the VENE-K a single use, quick release tourniquet. The company suggest that the practice of ”Venepuncture & cannulation are the two most invasive procedures performed in everyday practice within the NHS. Current statistics reveal that there are over 40 million procedures a year that involve the use of a tourniquet”. In addition tourniquets may harbour pathogenic organisms, and potentially [...]
Drug calculations for nurses
Nurses’ poor maths is putting patients’ lives at risk, a Government report has revealed. A new study carried out in Lothian hospitals reveals “widespread confusion” in the nursing sector over how to calculate correct dosage of powerful intravenous drugs. Tutors observed 40 nurses in voluntary remedial numeracy workshops at Edinburgh’s Western General and Royal Infirmary and at St [...]
Hand gel ‘pedometer’
A study abstract by Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center presented at the annual American Society of Anesthesiologists conference reveals a promising new approach to healthcare hand hygiene and hospital infection rate reductions using new personal sanitizer dispensers with electronic measures. Tracking before-and-after infection rates in a 26-bed intensive care unit (ICU), researchers found that by introducing the use of [...]
Peel-off labels reduce drug errors
A study presented at the 2008 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists proposes that the relatively simple act of universalizing the look of medication labels can significantly decrease the occurrence of medication errors ― errors that cause patients unnecessary harm and cost the health care industry an estimated $3.5 billion each year. According to Elizabeth [...]
Needlestick injury in prison
A prisoner who was injured by a syringe hidden in his cell mattress has been awarded damages. Mr Kevin D’Arcy, counsel for Jonathan Coyle, told the Circuit Civil Court his client’s hand was pierced when he accidentally grabbed the needle of a hypodermic syringe while tucking bedding under the mattress. The syringe had been hidden in a [...]
Virtual IV station
With two patient rooms, an operating room and an administrative station, LTC’s new Patient Simulation Center has the antiseptic look and feel of a hospital, right down to the shiny tile floor. It has been designed to incorporate the latest in high-tech equipment and clinical skills instruction in preparing students for health-care careers. A tour of [...]
Chlorhexidine IV dressing
Eyberg, C.I. and Pyrek, J. (2008) A Controlled Randomized Prospective Comparative Pilot Study to Evaluate the Ease of Use of a Transparent Chlorhexidine Gluconate Gel Dressing Versus A Chlorhexidine Gluconate Disk in Healthy Volunteers. Journal of the Association for Vascular Access. 13(3), p.112-117. Abstract: Products and technologies that aid health care professionals in vascular access practice [...]
IV site monitoring by videoconference
Astapova, E.V., Stachura, M.E., Chernecky, C. and Rosenkoetter, M.M.(2008) Low-End Videoconferencing for Vascular Access Device Site Assessment in Homecare. Journal of the Association for Vascular Access. 13(3), p.135-138. Abstract: Vascular access devices (VAD) represent high technology and are used frequently in infant, pediatric, adult, and geriatric populations for vascular infusion of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, blood products, [...]
Ultrasound guided PICC insertion
Krstenic, W.J., Brealey, S., Gaikwad, S. and Maraveyas, A. (2008) The Effectiveness of Nurse Led 2-D Ultrasound Guided Insertion of Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters in Adult Patients: A Systematic Review. Journal of the Association for Vascular Access. 13(3), p.120-125. Abstract: To conduct a systematic review that compares the effectiveness of nurses using 2-D ultrasound guided [...]
PICC placement outcomes
van Boxtel, A.J.H., Fliedner, M.C., Borst, D.M. and Teunissen, S.C.C.M. (2008) Peripherally Inserted Central Venous Catheters: First Results after the Introduction in a Dutch University Medical Center. Journal of the Association for Vascular Access. 13(3), p.128-133. Abstract: Purpose: To analyze patient outcomes and processes of insertion after the introduction of the peripherally inserted central catheter [...]
ANTT training resource
The University of Nottingham has produced an online ANTT resource. The programme consists of short animated clips, a video demonstration and an assessment module. Click here to view the programme. More stories on IVTEAM
Vascular access device training online
The NHS Core Learning Unit have launched an online vascular access training programme. The programme is available at www.corelearningunit.nhs.uk Reducing healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) and increasing cleanliness across all care settings is everyone’s responsibility. Commissioned by the NHS Core Learning Unit, Thames Valley University London and Intuition designed and developed the National Infection Control Training [...]
Cannulation training
A successful service improvement project at Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust demonstrated that educational initiatives about peripheral lines decreased MRSA rates. The South Central Strategic Health Authority (SC SHA) advocated the design of a pilot project to improve peripheral cannulation in all its acute NHS Trusts; the Peripheral Line Training Project. This poster publication presents the [...]
HAI conference
The Lancet have announced the healthcare-associated infections conference at the QEII conference centre, London, UK, December 11-12, 2008. Healthcare-associated infections will combine state-of-the-art lectures with the opportunity for delegates to discuss management of HAIs with key opinion leaders. We anticipate that participants will benefit from: A greater understanding of the impact of mandatory surveillance and public reporting. [...]
Intravenous supplies in Africa
The Washington Post highlights the perils of poor access to emergency obstetric care and limited health-care resources to the lives of women and children. Focusing on the African nation of Sierra Leone, the Post published highlights the death of women during childbirth and how this was directly related to the environment. Perhaps most strikingly, the article reports that [...]
Anaphylactic reaction
Terry Parsons died 44 minutes after being treated for a skin infection at Gisborne Hospital in April this year. He suffered an anaphylactic reaction to the antibiotic drug, despite repeatedly telling medical staff of his allergy to penicillin. In the coroner’s findings, Mr Devonport said staff at Gisborne Hospital had not exercised enough caution when administering [...]
Home IV growth
Growing numbers of patients needing intravenous medications are getting their treatments at home. But a gap in Medicare coverage is making it harder for older and sicker patients to swap hospital stays for home care. Hundreds of new intravenous drugs and biologic products have come on the market in recent years to treat maladies such [...]
MRSA screening
Publicservice.co.uk the information portal for the public sector report on the universal screening for MRSA. They write “With a quarter of NHS bodies failing to meet basic standards of infection control, the chief inspector of infection control, Professor Brian Duerden, inspector of microbiology and infection control at the Department of Health, outlines the challenges of [...]
Intravenous record keeping
Arslan, S. and Karadag, A. (2008) The determination of record-keeping behavior of nurses regarding intravenous fluid treatment: The case of Turkey. Journal of Infusion Nursing. 31(5), p.287-294. Abstract: Record-keeping is one of the legal and professional responsibilities of nurses. This study aims to determine the record-keeping behavior of nurses regarding intravenous fluid treatment (IVFT). The study was conducted [...]
Neonatal PICC placement
Mickler, P. (2008) Neonatal and Pediatric Perspectives in PICC Placement. Journal of Infusion Nursing. 31(5), p.282-285. Abstract: The nurse providing care to the acute or critically ill child is all too familiar with the issues surrounding vascular access. Establishing and maintaining the correct access device is an ongoing problem. There are several types of vascular access [...]
Typhilitis
Haut, C. (2008) Typhilitis in the Pediatric Patient. Journal of Infusion Nursing. 31(5), p.270-277. Abstract: Cancer statistics in children are promising as mortality rates consistently decrease, reflecting newer chemotherapeutic agents and the evolution of hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Typhilitis or neutropenic enterocolitis is a potentially life-threatening complication of cancer treatment often found in immunocompromised children receiving [...]
Colony stimulating factors
Throm, M.J. (2008) A Review of the Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy of Colony-Stimulating Factors. Journal of Infusion Nursing. 31(5), p.295-306. Abstract: Colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) have an established role in oncology. This article reviews the advances in the pharmacology, pharmacotherapy, and expanded indications of CSFs outside oncology and the role of the infusion nurse. New pharmacologic formulations of [...]
Needlestick legislation in Canada
A new proposal from the Ontario government will see the mandatory use of safety-engineered needles extended to home care, family medicine and ambulance services by 2010. The announcement comes a month after safety-engineered needles became mandatory in hospitals across the province, following the August, 2007 passing of Ontario Regulation 474/07 under the Occupational Health and Safety [...]
Baxa launch flush in UK
IV therapy update (IVTEAM): It is reported today that Baxa Ltd have announced the launch of a new line of pre-filled saline IV syringes in the UK. Baxa ZR sterile, pre-filled saline IV syringes provide a safe and effective alternative to flushes drawn from multi-dose vials or manual filled. Terry Aston, managing director of Baxa Ltd comments, [...]
Accelerated seldinger technique poster
The Accelerated Seldinger Technique reduces the danger of air embolism while providing fail-safe needlestick protection and faster access. Those were among the conclusions of research presented at the annual conference of the Association for Vascular Access (AVA). The poster presentation describes the results of a study led by Bonnie Smith, R.N., manager of the IV [...]
Peripheral vascular catheter care plan
Insertion of peripheral vascular catheters (PVC) is a common invasive procedure that forms part of the management of many in-patients. However, this type of device has associated risk of bacteraemia. Root Cause Analysis (RCA) of MRSA BSIs within Southport and Ormskirk NHS Trust for the time period 2006-07, identified a number of infections relating to PVCs. Issues [...]
Hospira acquires insulin software
IV therapy update (IVTEAM): Hospira Inc. has acquired MD Scientific’s EndoTool business. The EndoTool software calculates the amount of insulin a patient needs to control glucose levels in critical situations. It adapts to patient responses to intravenous insulin. EndoTool also prompts caregivers when a blood-sugar reading is needed. Click here for more information.
IV forum launched by IPS
The Infection Prevention Society (IPS), the largest infection prevention and control organisation in the UK and Ireland has recently launched the IPS IV Forum. The forum will bring together like-minded intravenous (IV) and infection and control practitioners to facilitate shared expertise, which in turn will shape and develop IV guidance, education and practice in the UK. [...]
Outpatient IV for heart failure
A team-based approach to treating heart failure adopted at St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin could avoid 4,000 hospitalisations a year if used nationally, according to those running the service. The Heart Failure Unit at St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin adopts a team-based approach involving doctors, nurses and allied healthcare professionals, according to the director of the unit, [...]
Vascular access team review
Over the past decade or so an eager enterprise of vascular access activity has developed which has offered nurses as the main alternative to the traditional doctor focussed service. This poster aims to review nurse led vascular access team activity in a medium sized General Hospital in the UK and ensure local standards are achievable. This poster [...]
Education improves intravenous cannulation
A poor cannulation technique and inadequate continuing care of peripheral lines are causative factors in the development of bacteraemia. The provision of effective educational initiatives about peripheral lines to healthcare staff are essential to promote patient safety and enhance patient outcome through service improvement. Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust had a poor MRSA record, with 73 cases recorded in 2005. The Trust identified [...]
IVTEAM launch poster page
IVTEAM are pleased to announce a new section on our website. We have just launched the ‘Poster’ page. We hope to fill it will our readers poster publications so that it can shared across our International IV community. We are happy to publish posters that have been presented at conferebnces. To submit a poster simply send [...]
Umbilical Vascular Catheterization
Anderson et al (2008) in The New England Journal of Medicine have published a video describing the umbilical vascular catheterization (NEJM subscription required). “The placement of umbilical catheters is an essential technique for the treatment of many newborns in unstable condition. This video will demonstrate the placement of catheters in the umbilical vein and the umbilical [...]
INS conference 2009
The INS 2009 Annual Meeting and Industrial Exhibition is fast approaching, and INS is seeking Abstracts and Posters for presentation at the meeting in Nashville. Abstracts and Educational Posters present research or clinical innovations related to the specialty of infusion nursing that include, but are not limited to: administration, clinical practice, cost-effectiveness, patient or staff education, [...]
Potassium error caused death
A coroner has delivered a damning verdict after a series of medical blunders at Whiston Hospital left a grandmother dead. Mrs Alker, of Mountfield Court, Orrell, died at Whiston Hospital on September 26, 2003. She had been given a lethal dose of potassium chloride by student nurse Rebecca Riley, which resulted in her going into cardiac arrest. [...]
Ethanol reduces CRBSI
A research nurse specialist completing her Masters in Health Sciences at the University of Otago, Christchurch, NZ has shown that using ethanol as a ‘disinfectant’ in intravenous catheters reduces blood stream infection rates in immune-suppressed patients. Joanne Sanders has demonstrated for the first time that by using diluted ethanol, catheter-related bloodstream infection rates (CRBSI) in [...]
Needlestick from HIV patient
Jeffrey Parks MD, Board Certified General Surgeon on East Side of Cleveland, Ohio describes the moment he sustained a needlestick injury from a HIV positive patient. “I wasn’t paying close attention, my eyes off the operative field when I felt a sharp prick on my index finger. Looking down, my heart sank; the creamy white of [...]
AVA conference dates announced
The Association for Vascular Access announce the dates and venue for the 23rd Annual Scientific Meeting. The venue will be Las Vagas and the dates for your diary are September 14-17, 2009. Registration and housing fees will be posted on the AVA website December 1, 2008. Click here for more information on the AVA website.
TRALI following IVIG
Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) is a clinical syndrome that presents as acute hypoxemia and noncardiogenic pulmonary edema during or within 6 hours after blood transfusion. Health Canada received a report of a 38-year-old man who had received Gamunex for the treatment of streptococcal thoracic cellulitis, which had also required débridement. Two hours and 50 minutes [...]
Reporting CRBSI
Beginning in early 2009, Indiana plans to add a new reportable error to the surgical error reporting system. Hospital infections, in particular those which developed in a patient’s intravenous or central line, will be reported in both hospital and non-hospital environments. Click here for the full story on injuryboard.com
IV catheter prescription update
There have been no new cases of hospital-acquired MRSA bloodstream infections at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in the past nine months. MRSA infections have reduced since Dr Chris Gordon consultant physician and Sister Rachel Wright introduced a new system for inserting intravenous cannulae. Since November 2007, the use of cannulae has to be prescribed by a [...]
Intravenous cannulation pain
This economic study compares a variety of local anaesthesia methods for cannulation in the emergency department. Pershad, J., Steinberg, S.C. and Waters, T.M. (2008) Cost-effectiveness analysis of anesthetic agents during peripheral intravenous cannulation in the pediatric emergency department. Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine. 162(10), p.952-961. Abstract: Objective To conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis of anesthetic agents [...]
Pediatric modified Seldinger
Wald et al (2008) describe the utilization of peripheral catheters in the placement of peripherally inserted central catheters in children. Wald, M., Happel, C.M., Kirchner, L., Jeitler, V., Sasse, M. and Wessel, A. (2008) A new modified Seldinger technique for 2- and 3-French peripherally inserted central venous catheters. European Journal of Pediatrics. 167(11), p.1327-9. Abstract: [...]
Central venous access techniques
It is very interesting how terminology and the type of practitioners that are ‘allowed’ to be involved in central venous access device placement vary according to geographical location. Marcy, P.Y. (2008) Central venous access: techniques and indications in oncology. European Radiology. 18(10), p.2333-44. Abstract: Long lines can be inserted centrally or peripherally through patent veins into the central [...]
Safety syringe label
Schreiner MediPharm, a Germany-based global provider of specialty pharmaceutical labeling solutions for over 50 years, recently introduced the Needle-Trap system to help protect healthcare providers from accidental needlestick injuries that can occur with disposable syringes. The Needle-Trap system features an integrated safety mechanism that is a component of the self-adhesive syringe label. This simple, economical design [...]
Sharp safety device evaluation
This article describes issues that hospitals should consider when making decisions about the introduction of sharp safety devices. Ford, J. (2008) How to evaluate sharp safety-engineered devices. Nursing Times. 104(36), p.42–45. Abstract: With increasing concerns of occupational exposure to bloodborne viruses in healthcare settings, NHS trusts are under pressure to consider opting for safer sharps devices [...]
Venous access for oncology
Sara Wells has written two articles that discuss oncology and haematology patient vascular access needs. The first reviews literature that underpins vascular access device assessment. The second article describes vascular access assessment tools. Wells, S. (2008) Venous access in oncology and haematology patients: part one. Nursing Standard. 22(52), p.39-46. Abstract: Reliable and sustained venous access is imperative for [...]
Medical device forum
In January 2008, Gill Brook – Medical Device Nurse Practitioner for Wrightington Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust and Rose Parker – Medical Device co-ordinator for St Helens and Knowsley NHS Trust launched our Best Practice forum for Medical Devices. For several years the two had tried hard to make contact with other like-minded persons across the northwest undertaking [...]
Infusion pump malfunction
FDA informed healthcare professionals of the possibility that x-rays used during CT examinations may cause some implanted and external electronic medical devices to malfunction. Most patients with electronic medical devices undergo CT scans without any adverse consequences. However, the Agency has received a small number of reports of adverse events in which CT scans may [...]
3 million to reduce HAI’s
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) today announced a three-year, $3 million national effort to reduce patients’ risk of hospital-associated infections in intensive care units (ICUs). This first-of-its-kind project is modeled after the pioneering efforts of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association’s (MHA) Keystone Center for Patient Safety & Quality and Johns Hopkins University [...]
Prevention of line sepsis
Today representatives from the roundtable summit, “A Leadership Strategy for the Prevention of Line Sepsis,” released a policy statement outlining strategies for patients and healthcare professionals to reduce the incidence of line sepsis, a potentially fatal hospital-acquired infection that affects approximately 250,000 patients each year in the U.S. alone, according to the Centers for Disease Control [...]
Community IV specialist
Oxford Primary Care Trust are advertising for a Band 6 Community IV Therapy Specialist Liaison Nurse. The closing date for applications is October 24th 2008. Applications are being accepted via www.jobs.nhs.uk reference 574-AN031DM
Needlefree injection
National Geographic News report that a Japanese inventor has developed Needle-free syringes that use air pressure or gases to deliver drugs, the inventor says he’s gone even further to cut costs and improve efficiency.
Infection control must improve
The risk of contracting infections at MountainView Hospital has been so great that it is in jeopardy of being dropped as a Medicare and Medicaid participant, according to a recent report by state health inspectors. Inspectors reported multiple infection control violations at MountainView, including blood on the floor of a lab, a physician assistant contaminating equipment [...]
Pediatric CRBSI reduction
Alliance for Pediatric Quality Promotes Four Proven Quality Improvement Initiatives. The goal of the Alliance is to bring about immediate, measurable change in the quality of care provided to children. The Alliance is a partnership of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP), Child Health Corporation of America (CHCA) and the National [...]
Accelerated Seldinger at AVA
The Accelerated Seldinger Technique reduces the danger of air embolism while providing fail-safe needlestick protection and faster access. Those were among the conclusions of research presented at the annual conference of the Association for Vascular Access (AVA). A talk by Steve Bierman, M.D., described the results of a study led by Bonnie Smith, R.N., manager of [...]
