Archive January 2009
Sharps management in hospital
Intravenous literature: Aziz, A.M., Ashton, H., Pagett, A., Mathieson, K., Jones, S. and Mullin, B. (2009) Sharps management in hospital: an audit of equipment, practice and awareness. British Journal of Nursing. 18(2), p.92-98. Abstract: The safe handling and disposal of needles and other sharp instruments forms part of an overall strategy to protect staff, patients and visitors [...]
BBraun investment
Intravenous products: BBraun Medical Industries announced yesterday that it was investing RM300mil over three years to expand its facility at the Bayan Lepas Industrial Zone, starting from this year. BBraun board chairman Prof Dr L.G. Braun said the expansion would be carried out on the company’s newly acquired 9,000sq m plot in front of its current facility. “The [...]
Needlestick injuries reported to HSE
Intravenous news: Using Freedom of Information laws the Mirror.co.uk approached more than 150 NHS Trusts across England and found that in the first nine months of 2008 there were 85 incidents reported to the Health and Safety Executive as either the escape of dangerous substances or an accident involving a biological agent. For example, at Manchester Royal Infirmary a staff member was pricked by a needle removed [...]
Five moments for hand hygiene
Intravenous news: IVTEAM have added the World Health Organizations (WHO) ‘Five Moments for Hand Hygiene’ as a recommended link. The work defines the key moments for hand hygiene, overcoming misleading language and complicated descriptions. It presents a unified vision and promotes a strong sense of ownership. Not only does the Five Moments align with the evidence [...]
Reporting CRBSI
Intravenous news: Beginning January 2009 New Hamphire hospitals are now required report quarterly to the N.H. Department of Health and Human Services on two types of infections. These reportable infections are bloodstream infections related to central lines, or ports installed directly into a patient’s major blood vessel to allow for quick medication delivery, and surgical-site infections for [...]
Intrathecal injection error
Intravenous news: Hospital equipment that was partly responsible for an 18-year-old’s death has still not been improved eight years after his death, MPs have been told. Leukaemia sufferer Wayne Jowett died after a chemotherapy drug was injected into his spine instead of his veins at the Queen’s Medical Centre in 2001. At a meeting of the Commons [...]
HIV exposure and needlestick injury
Intravenous news: The Guardian reports that “Health care workers can get HIV if they prick themselves with a needle that’s been used on someone who has the virus. The chance that they’ll get HIV is very small. The chance of getting infected from a needlestick is less than 1 in every 300 accidents”. They continue “Up [...]
Upper arm PICC placement
Intravenous literature: Simcock, L. (2008) No Going Back: Advantages of Ultrasound-Guided Upper Arm PICC Placement. JAVA. 13(4), p.191-197. Abstract: Background, Method and Purpose – The use of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) in the UK has been steadily increasing since they were first introduced in 1995. Ultrasound-guided upper arm placement – which has become prevalent in [...]
Safer IV for staff
Intravenous literature: Baker, B. (2008) Improving Safety for Nurses Providing IV Therapy. JAVA. 13(4), p.188-189. Abstract: Objectives – The risk nurses face related to exposure to blood borne pathogens associated with IV therapy are daily challenges. Providing a product with the least risk of exposure is the responsibility of the healthcare organization. Where the two [...]
EKG method for positioning PICCs
Intravenous literature: Pittiruti, M., Scoppettuolo, G., La Greca, A., Emoli, A., Brutti, A., Migliorini, I., Dolcetti, L., Taraschi, C. and De Pascale, G. (2008) The EKG Method for Positioning the Tip of PICCs: Results from Two Preliminary Studies. JAVA. 13(4), p.179-186. Abstract: Two preliminary studies were conducted to determine feasibility of using the electrocardiography (EKG) [...]
Difficult peripheral venous access
Intravenous literature: Walsh, G. (2008) Difficult Peripheral Venous Access: Recognizing and Managing the Patient at Risk. JAVA. 13(4), p.198-203. Abstract: Nurses commonly face challenges placing peripheral intravenous (IV) lines in adults and children, a situation described as difficult venous access (DVA). Multiple venipuncture attempts can heighten patient anxiety and suffering, delay vital treatment, and increase costs. [...]
Targeting zero CRBSI with APIC
The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) has expanded its Targeting Zero initiative for 2009 to offer comprehensive education and guidance to prevent the most common and fatal healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Targeting Zero features Webinars, conferences and practical tools such as HAI elimination guides. APIC’s evidence-based elimination guides translate CDC recommendations into straightforward [...]
Home infusion legislation
The ICT website report on the following statement was made by Donald M. Poretz, MD, immediate past president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA). Poretz practices medicine in Annandale, Va., and has provided home infusion therapy to his privately insured patients for several years. Poretz states, “The bipartisan group of senators and representatives who [...]
Dialysis hepatitis C exposure
A Manhattan dialysis center is notifying patients after the facility identified, and a State Department of Health (DOH) investigation confirmed, one patient who contracted hepatitis C after undergoing dialysis there. Approximately 170 patients of the Upper Manhattan Dialysis Center of Beth Israel Medical Center at 2465-67 Broadway in Manhattan are being notified in person or [...]
IV extension set alert
The MHRA have issued an alert that concerns the Sae-Flo MD extension set with Y-connector (lot number 80623/1 only). Manufacturer: Wescott Medical Ltd. Product code: WEPCA200AY. NHS Supply Chain code: FSB025 (England only). A number of devices from this lot have been reported to leak at the connection between the anti-siphon valve (female Luer) and the [...]
MicroAccess WAND is CE marked
Intravenous products: Access Scientific, Inc. announced today that it has obtained CE Mark approval for its MicroAccess WAND(R), the world’s first all-in-one safety introducer. The CE Mark enables Access Scientific to sell the MicroAccess WAND broadly around the globe. The device has already received FDA clearance. The MicroAccess WAND is a sophisticated new medical device that enables [...]
Safety phlebotomy device
Intravenous products: medGadget report that Medigard, out of Queensland, Australia, has received FDA approval to market the company’s blood collection device in the US. Though the company has not officially named the product, we have some information to believe it will be called Vacugard BCD. In the meantime, Medigard is looking for manufacturing and distribution partners [...]
Retrieval of lost guide wire
Struck, M.F., Kaden, I., Heiser, A. and Steen, M. (2008) Cross-over endovascular retrieval of a lost guide
Retrieval of PICC fragment
Robbins, A.B. and Patel, H. (2008) Transvascular retrieval of a catheter remnant from the peripheral vein of a preterm neonate. The Journal of Vascular Access. 9(4) p.299-300. Abstract: We report the first case of transvenous removal of a peripheral inserted central catheter (PICC) fragment embolized to a peripheral vein in a 32-week gestational age 1450 g infant. The [...]
Implanted port dislodgment
M.I. Elkhoury, M.I, Boeckx, W.D., Chahine, E.G. and Feghali, M.A. (2008) Retrieval of port-A catheter fragment from the main and right pulmonary arteries 3 years after dislodgment. The Journal of Vascular Access. 9(4) p.296-298. Abstract: Vascular access (VA) is one of the serious problems that chemotherapy recipient cancer patients face. Fractures of catheter and cardiac migration rarely [...]
Handling chemotherapy safely
Eisenberg, S. (2009) Safe Handling and Administration of Antineoplastic Chemotherapy. Journal of Infusion Nursing. 32(1), p.23-32. Abstract: Antineoplastic chemotherapy describes a group of hazardous drugs commonly used in the treatment of cancer. Since the discovery of their presence in nurses and pharmacists more than 2 decades ago, numerous studies have reported on the short- and long-term [...]
Prevention of catheter occlusion
Jasinsky, L.M. (2009) Occlusion Reduction and Heparin Elimination Trial Using an Antireflux Device on Peripheral and Central Venous Catheters. Journal of Infusion Nursing. 32(1), p.33-39. Abstract: Catheter occlusion and thrombosis are common problems associated with central venous catheters, peripherally inserted central catheters, and peripheral intravenous catheters. A prospective study was performed at a community hospital to [...]
Hypodermoclysis
Lybarger, E. (2009) Hypodermoclysis in the Home and Long-term Care Settings. Journal of Infusion Nursing. 32(1), p.40-44. Abstract: Hypodermoclysis is the subcutaneous administration of isotonic infusates to correct short-term fluid and electrolyte balances. It has recently begun to regain recognition as a safe and effective alternative to intravenous fluid hydration in the mild to moderately dehydrated [...]
Enzyme replacement therapy
Tifft, C., Proud, V., Levy, P., DeMarco, K., Nicely, H. and Turbeville, S. (2009) Enzyme Replacement Therapy in the Home Setting for Mucopolysaccharidosis VI: A Survey of Patient Characteristics and Physicians’ Early Findings in the United States. Journal of Infusion Nursing. 32(1), p.45-52. Abstract: Galsulfase, a Food and Drug Administration-approved enzyme replacement therapy for mucopolysaccharidosis VI, [...]
Cannulation team poster
Peter Carr has submitted his ‘Nurse led intravenous cannulation team’ poster to the IVTEAM website. The origins of the team started with the European Working Time Directive Initiative Pilot Project. This identified the need for a specialist vascular access team to allow for the provision of an efficient and safe cannulation service to patients. Click here [...]
Adherence to correct hand antisepsis
Laustsen, S., Lund, E., Bibby, B.O., Kristensen, B., Thulstrup, A.M. and Møller, J.K. (2009) Cohort Study of Adherence to Correct Hand Antisepsis Before and After Performance of Clinical Procedures. Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology. 30, p.172–178. Abstract: Objective – To investigate the rate of adherence by hospital staff members to the correct use of alcohol‐based hand [...]
Umbilical cord blood processor
Intravenous products: The FDA has given clearance to PrepaCyte-CB umbilical cord blood processing system from BioE Inc. out of St. Paul, Minnesota. The device, already approved in the EU, filters blood for progenitor stem cells, total nucleated cells, and mononucleated cells for a possible use in therapeutic applications. Click here for the full story on medgadget. [...]
Thirty patients test positive
Thirty out of approximately 1,000 former endoscopy and dental surgery patients of the High Prairie Health Complex have tested positive for hepatitis B, hepatitis C or HIV, health officials in High Prairie told CBC News on Wednesday. The tests were ordered last fall after it was revealed single-use syringes had been reused at the health complex [...]
Smart infusion pumps
New “smart” drug pumps at Rice Memorial Hospital have been alerting nurses to errors — a dose of Dilaudid, a painkiller, that was accidentally programmed for 2 milligrams per hour instead of 0.2 milligrams, for instance — so that the error can be fixed before it reaches the patient. Carnie Allex, director of pharmacy at the [...]
V-Link is Smart Solutions winner
Intravenous products: Nine products have been selected as winners in the Smart Solutions for HCAI competition to find new ways to help combat healthcare associated infections (HCAIs). They have been chosen from around 250 applications submitted to the Smart Solutions for HCAI programme, which aimed to identify innovative technologies from different industry sectors with the potential to [...]
Home IV service
People who need to have intravenous (IV) therapy for their antibiotics will be able to complete their treatment at home thanks to a new pilot scheme from NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale. IV therapy is when medication or fluids are administered directly into the vein through a cannula or catheter. The Community IV Therapy Service provides [...]
MaxGuard needleless connector
Medegen, a leading innovator in infusion therapy products, today announced that it has received 510(k) clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its new MaxGuard™ Advanced Luer Activated Device featuring Agion® Antimicrobial Technology. MaxGuard is the first positive displacement needleless connector featuring impregnation of the antimicrobial additive into each of the components of the [...]
Extravasation guidelines
The North Trent Cancer Network have published extravasation guidelines. “This policy describes the procedure to be followed following extravasation of cytotoxic chemotherapy. Not all chemotherapy is vesicant (i.e. can cause severe tissue damage when given into the surrounding tissue) but most chemotherapy potentially causes irritation and injury to the tissue and should be treated according to the following procedure. If [...]
Enteral feed mistaken for IV
An 87-year-old bedridden man suffering the aftereffects of a brain hemorrhage died after a serving of his liquid diet was mistakenly fed into a vein via an intravenous drip instead of a feeding tube into his stomach by an assistant nurse of a hospital in Ibaraki, Osaka Prefecture, police said. The 45-year-old assistant nurse of Yukoukai [...]
60,000 patients at risk for Hepatitis B
In the last decade, more than 60,000 patients in the United States were asked to get tested for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) because healthcare personnel in settings outside hospitals failed to follow basic infection control practices, according to a new study by the CDC. This first full review of all the [...]
Infection prevention in outpatients
The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) has issued a statement from Kathy Warye, CEO of APIC, in conjunction with an article being published in the January issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine about outbreaks of hepatitis B and C in outpatient clinics nationwide. The outbreaks are linked to unsafe injection practices. [...]
Blood tests whilst shopping
Shoppers at a West Midlands Supermarket are now able to get a hospital blood test taken as they shop. The West Bromwich ‘Asda’ supermarket has teamed up with Birmingham City Hospital and nearby Sandwell Hospital under an NHS pilot scheme. The blood tests are taken by a qualified phlebotomist, in a location removed from where any food [...]
Sharps injury protection
OSHA is making healthcare employers and employees aware of the sale of pre-filled syringes with fixed needles containing Fluvirin. Manufactured by Novartis, it is one of the 2008 seasonal flu vaccines. OSHA says the needles do not have engineered sharps-injury protections. The needles cannot be removed and replaced with products containing sheaths or shields. Agency standards [...]
Cancer medication errors
Seven percent of adults and 19 percent of children taking chemotherapy drugs in outpatient clinics or at home were given the wrong dose or experienced other mistakes involving their medications, according to a new study supported in part by HHS’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality through its Centers for Education and Research on Therapeutics program. [...]
New central venous catheter book
Product description from Amazon: This book addresses all the issues a patient may experience prior to receiving a VAD. Selection of equipment, practical aspects of technique, the pros and cons of the various veins, and modifications of technique for certain circumstances are examined. Covereage also includes the roles played by radiologists, anaesthetists, surgeons, nurses, and other [...]
FDA approve test for donated blood
The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) today approved a new nucleic acid test from Roche to screen donated blood for HIV-1 Group M RNA, hepatitis C RNA and hepatitis B DNA in a single, automated assay. The test, called the cobas TaqScreen MPX Test for use on the cobas s 201 system, is a qualitative in [...]
